Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

"A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him [Jesus], crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.' Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, 'Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.'"¹

In Vancouver, British Columbia (reported Reuters), when a family of ducklings fell down a Vancouver sewer grate, their mother did what any parent would do. She got help from a passing police officer.

Vancouver police officer Ray Peterson admitted he was not sure what to make of the duck that grabbed him by the pant leg while he was on foot patrol on a Wednesday evening in a neighborhood near the city's downtown.

"I thought it was a bit goofy, so I shoved it away," Peterson told the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

The mother duck persisted, grabbing Peterson's leg again when he tried to leave, and then waddling to a nearby sewer grate where she sat down and waited for him to follow and investigate.

"I went up to where the duck was lying and saw eight little babies in the water below," he said.

Police said they removed the heavy metal grate with the help of a tow truck and used a vegetable strainer to lift the ducklings to safety. Mother and offspring then departed for a nearby pond.²

When the Canaanite woman came to Jesus for help, the disciples tried to get Jesus to send her away, but she refused to go. She was desperate for help for her child. Jesus certainly tested her by telling her that his ministry was for the "lost sheep of Israel," and that it wasn't right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." In her determination she replied, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

And Jesus replied, "'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour."³

God will also test us to see if we are determined and desperate enough to turn to him for help. The half-hearted never make it.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when I am serious about turning to you for help, you always hear and answer the prayer that comes from my heart. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Matthew 15:22-23 (NIV).
2. http://tinyurl.com/bxygm.
3. See Matthew 15:22-28 (NIV).

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