“But He answered her not a word.” — Matthew 15:23

Genuine seekers who as yet have not obtained the blessing, may take comfort from the story before us. The Saviour did not at once bestow the blessing, even though the woman had great faith in Him. He intended to give it, but He waited awhile. “He answered her not a word.” Were not her prayers good? Never better in the world. Was not her case needy? Sorrowfully needy. Did she not feel her need sufficiently? She felt it overwhelmingly. Was she not earnest enough? She was intensely so. Had she no faith? She had such a high degree of it that even Jesus wondered, and said, “O woman, great is thy faith.” See then, although it is true that faith brings peace, yet it does not always bring it instantaneously. There may be…

certain reasons calling for the trial of faith, rather than the rewardof faith. Genuine faith may be in the soul like a hidden seed, but as yet itmay not have budded and blossomed into joy and peace. A painful silencefrom the Saviour is the grievous trial of many a seeking soul, but heavierstill is the affliction of a harsh cutting reply such as this, “It is not meet totake the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Many in waiting upon theLord find immediate delight, but this is not the case with all. Some, like thejailer, are in a moment turned from darkness to light, but others are plantsof slower growth. A deeper sense of sin may be given to you instead of asense of pardon, and in such a case you will have need of patience to bearthe heavy blow. Ah! poor heart, though Christ beat and bruise thee, oreven slay thee, trust Him; though He should give thee an angry word,believe in the love of His heart. Do not, I beseech thee, give up seeking ortrusting my Master, because thou hast not yet obtained the conscious joywhich thou longest for. Cast thyself on Him, and perseveringly dependeven where thou canst not rejoicingly hope.

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen