Morning Devotional 052724 Don't Give UP

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  May 27, 2024

Matthew 15:21-28

21 From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, “Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” 23 But he didn’t respond to her at all. His disciples came and urged him, “Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.” 24 Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.” 25 But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.” 26 He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.” 28 Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.

Good Morning! Thanks to our merciful God!

For those who truly believe, nothing can stand in their way. The woman in this passage believed in the power of Jesus, and she would not let her cultural upbringing stop her from seeking healing for her daughter. Even when she was rebuked by the disciples and Jesus, she persisted in her mission. 

How many times do we feel like turning away when we run into trouble or obstacles? When someone says go, I can’t help you we often give up. This woman teaches us to continue forward to what we believe no matter how big our obstacles are because that solution or the truth is only found by continuing to reach out even when the door is shutting. 

Matthew 17:20 Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Encouraging God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. We are often too quick to give up on our beliefs. We allow setbacks to take control. Thank you for showing us the power of faith. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: True faith perseveres.

Don’t give up! Pastor Liz