Matthew 15; Mark 7:1-8:10: As I read the story of the woman who lived in Tyre I could not help but remember walking those same roads. There is an archway in the ruins of the old city along with as my daughter puts is “strategically places old rocks” that were once homes and dwelling places. In the story it talks about how Jesus was in one of these dwelling places when the people of the region realized He was there. They began bringing their sick and demon possessed. One lady came to ask Jesus to take the demons away from her daughter. Jesus’ response seemed at first heartless when He says to the woman that He came to the Children first meaning the Children of Israel. Yet she was persistent and not prideful asking again that Jesus at least give her the crumbs. In the end I think Jesus knew all along this woman as He said had great faith and that faith precipitated the healing of her daughter. When she returned home to the child the demon was gone.
I can’t help when reading this thinking of how many moms and dads of children adult and young adult spend countless hours on their knees begging God to help their children with an addiction or disobedience. I am sure they know Jesus doesn’t discriminate on the basis of religion or ethnicity. Jesus came for all. He came specifically to heal the broken hearted and to set the captive free. He is still in the business of doing that, but it does take faith. By faith God can and will do what only He can do. Today I kneel with you sister and brother in asking the Father to set your captive free and to give fresh hope and vision to your son or daughter. I pray He will place them in relationships that will foster freedom. I pray that the strongholds the enemy has on them are broken. I pray that they will want to be set free and that they will be able to get into programs that will facilitate this freedom. I pray for you sweet momma and daddy that you will know when your helping is hurting and when to say yes or no. I pray your heart will be encouraged and strengthened. By His grace and mercy I pray for healing for you all.