He Never Turns Us Away | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | May 29, 2023

He Never Turns Us Away | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | May 29, 2023

And He [Jesus] said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered Him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And He said to her, “For this statement you may go you way; the demon has left your daughter.” Mark 7:27-29

In His earthly ministry, Jesus had a pattern of meeting needs no matter what background or nationality a person had. He did make it clear that His coming was for Israel. His teachings and miracles were done to show the Jews that Messiah had come. By the end of His time, however, He commissioned His followers to take His message beyond just Jerusalem and Judea. It was to go to ends of the Earth. He had several encounters with Gentiles and through those He showed that His message was for everyone (such as the woman with a demon-possessed daughter in Mark 7). Jesus didn’t turn anyone away who actively sought Him.

We may have a certain need in our lives that we decide not to bother the Savior with. Maybe we believe it’s too small and beyond His care. Maybe we honestly are afraid to ask because we incorrectly assume He won’t answer. When we see the woman’s plea in Mark 7, we see someone with faith beyond a level we often display. She could have reasoned that being a Gentile or having a demon-possessed child were reasons that either disqualified her or were too big for Jesus to heal. But He answered her because she recognized He was able and willing. When we press into the Lord and ask for Him to intervene, we honor Him and He willingly receives us.

Question for today: What is one thing I’ve been afraid to ask God for because I don’t know if He will answer?

Pray: God help me not refuse ask — either for big or little things — because my faith is too small.

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