The Third Day of Advent

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:

An Advent Devotional Guide

“O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.  Matthew 15:28

This story often troubles people, but I love it – maybe because I am a mother and would do anything for my daughters! I imagine her as being absolutely frantic! She had no one to turn to, and no one was paying any attention to her need. Even the disciples didn't want her around and tried to shoo her away. After all, Jesus was a busy man, and he shouldn’t be bothered with women and women’s needs. She knew she was a nobody, yet she would not give up! But there was no pride in her; she followed crying and begging him to help her.

So how was she so different from the rest of the crowd? They too had witnessed what he’d done for others, but she had faith that he could make a difference for her – even for her child! She didn’t let fear stop her, and she was willing to do whatever she needed to gain his attention for the sake of her daughter!

The American Standard Bible reports Jesus’ wonderful words: “Your faith is great!” I think that is a huge validation of this woman! I can only imagine how I’d feel if he looked at me and said, “Patience, your faith is great!” Would my heart just burst with joy? Not that I had done anything but that by my actions I had shown him that I had absolute trust in him and his ability! My coming to him showed him that I didn’t care what anyone thought because I absolutely believed him! That’s faith!

Father, we trust the market, each other, doctors and ourselves before we come to you! Forgive us, and help us in this season to grow in faith – absolute trust in you. Amen

The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:

An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator