Lesson 6
I worked out today. I changed into athletic gear and then warmed up by walking up a flight of stairs to where the weight machines were. I marched right up to a machine that twists your abdomen like the rubber band on a wind-up propeller, toy airplane. I’m sure I’ve seen it in a museum about torture devices used in the Spanish inquisition. I set the weight at a level I thought would be an impressive challenge for a body builder… and started talking to the guy on the next machine over about which college football team he preferred. He was wearing an Auburn t-shirt, but he is a graduate and fan of LSU. The incongruity was as mind-bending as the impact that machine was designed to do to my stomach.
Meanwhile, a 125 lb. engineering student with a pocket protector asked if he could do a set on the machine I was “using.” I let him. He increased the weight and did a quick set of 20 reps. At that point I noticed that one of the televisions in the room was set to a soccer match. Well, I had to know what game it was, so I sat on a machine that was supposed to strengthen the long muscle that runs between your little finger and your knee cap. I didn’t want to distract myself from the match, so I set the weight at zero and continued to watch. After the match ended 40 minutes later, I had completed 18 rigorous sets of 2 reps each. I showered as a matter of principle, not because I had actually broken a sweat, and went back to work.
Tonight I saw 2 slices of leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator. Yeah, I’m on a diet but since I “went to the gym” today, I decided I deserved the little indulgence. Besides, I can work out again tomorrow and it would sill leave one more piece of cheesecake. On the other hand, if anyone eats that cheesecake before I get to it tomorrow night, I’ll be livid at that affront. I deserve that piece of cheesecake after the effort I put into working out.
Jesus told a story in Luke 17 about a slave that worked all day and when he came home he wouldn’t think of taking it easy. He first prepared supper and served his master. It would be silly and inappropriate for the slave to get the first seat at the dinner table, ahead of the master, just because the slave did what he was supposed to do all day. I think he was teaching something similar when he said “give us this day our daily bread.”
If Billy Graham were to pray for something, it seems like God would be practically obligated to give it to him no matter how silly, selfish, or sinful it might be. After all, Billy Graham has earned that answered prayer from all the hard work he has done.
I think maybe part of what Jesus was teaching was, “Just because you submit to what is best for God’s honor and reputation; just because you submit to His will being done on earth, it does not entitle you to health, wealth, and prosperity.” By submitting, you haven’t done anything as special as you might think. Submitting to God is just right and necessary, not so virtuous as to deserve preferential treatment. You are still entitled to no more than the provision of your basic needs, which He will do because he is a good master, not because you deserve something wonderful.
A sense of entitlement is incompatible with humble submission. Well, my cheesecake is gone. I think I’ll go hide that second piece to save it for tomorrow.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Prayer – In one billion, three hundred forty nine million, six hundred seventy eight thousand, four hundred and eighty-twelve lessons.
Lesson 5
Henry Kissinger once said “Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.”
I saw a movie called “Funny People.” I thought it should have been called “Depressed people who are ruining their own lives by making one self-absorbed decision after another with no regard for the impact of their decisions on others or the long-term impact of anything. They drink, abuse drugs, exploit others sexually and tell hundreds of offensive and disgustingly crass stories they consider “jokes” as pitiful and fruitless attempts to hide their emptiness and despair.” It might have trouble fitting on the poster, but I believe in truth in advertising.
The movie had five stars from some critic. The only good thing I can say about the movie is that we asked for extra salt on the popcorn and got a large so there were free refills. This gave us an excuse to leave the theater often. Other than that, it was offensive and depressing.
But it had a really good reputation. Reputation is a funny thing. Your reputation is not really who you are, it’s who people THINK you are. And who people THINK you are controls how they act around you and respond to you.
Socrates, Captain Kangaroo and nearly everyone in between has said something to the effect that you should act in a way that will create the reputation you wish to have. So, the McDonalds guy I was so impressed with really wasn’t as brilliant as I thought.
If you want a good reputation, the only course of action that makes sense is to treat others really well. Do what’s in their best interest. So, I’m very safe when I ask God to give me whatever will do the most for his reputation (to “hallow” his name). He even says that he does things in order to protect and enhance his own reputation (See Isaiah 48: 9 and 11 for good examples). It’s all neat and clean on paper. The problem is - I am not neat and clean.
I’m often petty and self-centered. So as soon as I figure out that God will want to do things that will improve his reputation, I start calculating how to use that to my advantage. I think it’s smarmy, but on the other hand, Moses did it too (See Numbers 13:12-14).
I may be going out on a big limb here, but I suspect that praying for his name to be “hallowed” as a manipulative, sneaky way to get whatever I want is somehow missing the point. In fact, it’s the same, self-absorbed thought process that made all the “funny people” so depressing. It’s just using God the way the characters were using sex, drugs, money, fame, “humor,” and each other. I suppose that using Him for my selfish needs is not consistent with desiring that his name be hallowed. I wonder if 90% of my prayers give the other 10 percent a bad reputation?
Henry Kissinger once said “Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.”
I saw a movie called “Funny People.” I thought it should have been called “Depressed people who are ruining their own lives by making one self-absorbed decision after another with no regard for the impact of their decisions on others or the long-term impact of anything. They drink, abuse drugs, exploit others sexually and tell hundreds of offensive and disgustingly crass stories they consider “jokes” as pitiful and fruitless attempts to hide their emptiness and despair.” It might have trouble fitting on the poster, but I believe in truth in advertising.
The movie had five stars from some critic. The only good thing I can say about the movie is that we asked for extra salt on the popcorn and got a large so there were free refills. This gave us an excuse to leave the theater often. Other than that, it was offensive and depressing.
But it had a really good reputation. Reputation is a funny thing. Your reputation is not really who you are, it’s who people THINK you are. And who people THINK you are controls how they act around you and respond to you.
Socrates, Captain Kangaroo and nearly everyone in between has said something to the effect that you should act in a way that will create the reputation you wish to have. So, the McDonalds guy I was so impressed with really wasn’t as brilliant as I thought.
If you want a good reputation, the only course of action that makes sense is to treat others really well. Do what’s in their best interest. So, I’m very safe when I ask God to give me whatever will do the most for his reputation (to “hallow” his name). He even says that he does things in order to protect and enhance his own reputation (See Isaiah 48: 9 and 11 for good examples). It’s all neat and clean on paper. The problem is - I am not neat and clean.
I’m often petty and self-centered. So as soon as I figure out that God will want to do things that will improve his reputation, I start calculating how to use that to my advantage. I think it’s smarmy, but on the other hand, Moses did it too (See Numbers 13:12-14).
I may be going out on a big limb here, but I suspect that praying for his name to be “hallowed” as a manipulative, sneaky way to get whatever I want is somehow missing the point. In fact, it’s the same, self-absorbed thought process that made all the “funny people” so depressing. It’s just using God the way the characters were using sex, drugs, money, fame, “humor,” and each other. I suppose that using Him for my selfish needs is not consistent with desiring that his name be hallowed. I wonder if 90% of my prayers give the other 10 percent a bad reputation?
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Prayer – In one billion, three hundred forty nine million, six hundred seventy eight thousand, four hundred and eighty-twelve lessons.
Lesson 4
I decided it was fun to watch people’s reactions when I asked them to tell me which purchase would be of greatest benefit to the store, and why. So, a few days ago, I stopped to pick up something for a headache. I asked the clerk if it would be better for the store if I bought the normal bottle of generic acetaminophen that cost $3.79 or the large bottle with twice as many pills for $5.49. He suggested the small bottle, because clearly the store made more profit per pill. I thanked him, smiled, and then bought the other, larger bottle. I decided not to be angry at him, because he was just answering my question honestly, and I was able to make the better purchase by doing the opposite.
Later, I decided I wanted a candy bar (The other well-known cure for a headache). I stopped at a store near my office and asked the clerk which candy bar she would rather me buy. Without a second’s hesitation she said “Baby Ruth.” I asked, “Why?” “Because I like them,” was her logical reply. I decided not to clarify that I wanted to know what would profit the store best. I was afraid she would suggest gummi something. So I bought a Baby Ruth…..but I didn’t completely trust her. Just to be safe, I bought a Snickers, too. On my way back to my office, I ate the Baby Ruth and as it turns out, I liked it. It had enough peanuts I was able to justify it as health food.
I had one clerk this week that made a real effort to find out what I liked and what I wanted before he would answer my question as to which product he wanted me to buy. He asked if I liked chicken. He asked if I liked beef. He asked if I preferred spicy foods. He finally suggested the Big Mac. I would be willing to ask that clerk to sell me whatever he wanted me to buy, again. He didn’t just pull his personal favorite from thin air and expect me to like it. He found out what I liked, what I needed, what I wanted, and then told me that’s the one he wanted me to buy.
Then I realized that the last clerk was the smartest. Of all three places, when I asked them what I could buy that would benefit the reputation of the store the most, he got it right. He realized that the one that would cause me to trust that the store operated in my best interest was the one that would increase its own reputation. He gave the most insightful, best answer of the three.
I wonder, when I pray "make your name honored, revered, set apart as better than all others," is God as smart as that McDonald's guy?
I decided it was fun to watch people’s reactions when I asked them to tell me which purchase would be of greatest benefit to the store, and why. So, a few days ago, I stopped to pick up something for a headache. I asked the clerk if it would be better for the store if I bought the normal bottle of generic acetaminophen that cost $3.79 or the large bottle with twice as many pills for $5.49. He suggested the small bottle, because clearly the store made more profit per pill. I thanked him, smiled, and then bought the other, larger bottle. I decided not to be angry at him, because he was just answering my question honestly, and I was able to make the better purchase by doing the opposite.
Later, I decided I wanted a candy bar (The other well-known cure for a headache). I stopped at a store near my office and asked the clerk which candy bar she would rather me buy. Without a second’s hesitation she said “Baby Ruth.” I asked, “Why?” “Because I like them,” was her logical reply. I decided not to clarify that I wanted to know what would profit the store best. I was afraid she would suggest gummi something. So I bought a Baby Ruth…..but I didn’t completely trust her. Just to be safe, I bought a Snickers, too. On my way back to my office, I ate the Baby Ruth and as it turns out, I liked it. It had enough peanuts I was able to justify it as health food.
I had one clerk this week that made a real effort to find out what I liked and what I wanted before he would answer my question as to which product he wanted me to buy. He asked if I liked chicken. He asked if I liked beef. He asked if I preferred spicy foods. He finally suggested the Big Mac. I would be willing to ask that clerk to sell me whatever he wanted me to buy, again. He didn’t just pull his personal favorite from thin air and expect me to like it. He found out what I liked, what I needed, what I wanted, and then told me that’s the one he wanted me to buy.
Then I realized that the last clerk was the smartest. Of all three places, when I asked them what I could buy that would benefit the reputation of the store the most, he got it right. He realized that the one that would cause me to trust that the store operated in my best interest was the one that would increase its own reputation. He gave the most insightful, best answer of the three.
I wonder, when I pray "make your name honored, revered, set apart as better than all others," is God as smart as that McDonald's guy?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Prayer – In one billion, three hundred forty nine million, six hundred seventy eight thousand, four hundred and eighty-twelve lessons.
Lesson 3
So, I’ve said that I think prayer is essentially asking for stuff. Fortunately, I’m very good at asking for stuff. If you are reading this, please send me money. See? I told you I was good at it.
“May your name be revered and honored” is a kind of strange thing to ask. I talked to my bank this week. I asked about some services they offer. I asked what those services would cost me. I asked what paperwork was needed to apply for those services. Funny thing is, I never asked, “How could we set up this account so the bank gets a great reputation and makes a huge profit?” I was afraid he would tell me.
I have a theory that if I eat something that is better than an alternative I am eating healthy. So ice cream that’s sugar free is basically health food. In fact, it’s so healthy that it’s almost like taking a vitamin. Last night on the way home from work, I stopped at the grocery to buy ice cream. I considered what flavor I wanted. I considered what price was best. I considered which variety was sugar free so I could get my vitamins. I even considered what flavor my wife might enjoy. I did not ask the grocery manager “which ice cream should I buy in order to benefit the store and enhance its stature?”
So, this morning, I decided to try it. I stopped at a gas station. I went in and asked the clerk “would it be better for you if I bought a Diet Coke or a Diet Pepsi?" (I needed some health food in my breakfast). The clerk needed to have her hearing checked. “Pardon?” she replied. I repeated my request. “Come again?” I said it again. Then her brain stopped. “I don’t understand.” I said it very slowly, because we all know that saying the incoherent slowly and loudly makes it completely understandable. “Woooooouuuld iiiit beee betteeeerrrrrr foooorrrr yyyoooouuuuu….” At that point she looked past me to help the next customer. For some reason they both looked at me like I was a lunatic. Immediately after she helped him she had to tend to something in the back room. I assume she must have gotten a call or something.
The point is… it’s a strange request to make. You can ask all powerful God for whatever you want. (Cars, houses, and chocolate all come to my mind quickly.) So you ask for His reputation to be advanced. Maybe it’s just me, but it kinda seems logical if God wanted his reputation advanced, he could do it, with or without me asking him.
In fact, now that I think about it, while I didn't ask my banker how the account change could benefit the bank, but I’m pretty sure he was thinking about it without me asking.
So, I’ve said that I think prayer is essentially asking for stuff. Fortunately, I’m very good at asking for stuff. If you are reading this, please send me money. See? I told you I was good at it.
“May your name be revered and honored” is a kind of strange thing to ask. I talked to my bank this week. I asked about some services they offer. I asked what those services would cost me. I asked what paperwork was needed to apply for those services. Funny thing is, I never asked, “How could we set up this account so the bank gets a great reputation and makes a huge profit?” I was afraid he would tell me.
I have a theory that if I eat something that is better than an alternative I am eating healthy. So ice cream that’s sugar free is basically health food. In fact, it’s so healthy that it’s almost like taking a vitamin. Last night on the way home from work, I stopped at the grocery to buy ice cream. I considered what flavor I wanted. I considered what price was best. I considered which variety was sugar free so I could get my vitamins. I even considered what flavor my wife might enjoy. I did not ask the grocery manager “which ice cream should I buy in order to benefit the store and enhance its stature?”
So, this morning, I decided to try it. I stopped at a gas station. I went in and asked the clerk “would it be better for you if I bought a Diet Coke or a Diet Pepsi?" (I needed some health food in my breakfast). The clerk needed to have her hearing checked. “Pardon?” she replied. I repeated my request. “Come again?” I said it again. Then her brain stopped. “I don’t understand.” I said it very slowly, because we all know that saying the incoherent slowly and loudly makes it completely understandable. “Woooooouuuld iiiit beee betteeeerrrrrr foooorrrr yyyoooouuuuu….” At that point she looked past me to help the next customer. For some reason they both looked at me like I was a lunatic. Immediately after she helped him she had to tend to something in the back room. I assume she must have gotten a call or something.
The point is… it’s a strange request to make. You can ask all powerful God for whatever you want. (Cars, houses, and chocolate all come to my mind quickly.) So you ask for His reputation to be advanced. Maybe it’s just me, but it kinda seems logical if God wanted his reputation advanced, he could do it, with or without me asking him.
In fact, now that I think about it, while I didn't ask my banker how the account change could benefit the bank, but I’m pretty sure he was thinking about it without me asking.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Prayer – In one billion, three hundred forty nine million, six hundred seventy eight thousand, four hundred and eighty-twelve lessons.
Lesson 2
My second grade Sunday School teacher taught us the Lord’s prayer. When she got to the part about “Hallowed be thy name," I thought it had something to do with Halloween. I imagined Jesus carved into a pumpkin. I had seen a cartoon of Ichabod Crane and I had visions of the headless horseman thundering in the dark, holding a pumpkin with Jesus’ face carved into it. He threw it at Ichabod and it hit him in the head. The result was that Ichabod got saved and knocked into the river… which I took as his baptism.
You may be surprised to learn that “hallowed” was not a word I used a lot when I was 7. You may also be surprised to find out that it’s still not a word I use often. I use the word aardvark more often.
Anyway, my Sunday School teacher said that “hallowed be thy name” was adoration. But if you listen carefully it sounds more like a hope. “Please grant my desire that your name be revered.” If adoration was intended, Jesus would not have said it the same way he said "thy kingdom come," in which He was asking for something.
It’s a request. “Please grant my desire that your name be revered.”
If I told my wife, “you are beautiful to me.” That would be adoration. If I said, “I request that you be beautiful to me,” it would be a well earned instant ticket to sleeping on the couch, but not adoration.
Similarly, “forgive us our trespasses," is not confession, it’s a request.
Rule of thumb: If you can put a "please" in the front, or the end of the sentence, it’s not adoration, confession, or thanksgiving, it’s a request.
My second grade Sunday School teacher taught us the Lord’s prayer. When she got to the part about “Hallowed be thy name," I thought it had something to do with Halloween. I imagined Jesus carved into a pumpkin. I had seen a cartoon of Ichabod Crane and I had visions of the headless horseman thundering in the dark, holding a pumpkin with Jesus’ face carved into it. He threw it at Ichabod and it hit him in the head. The result was that Ichabod got saved and knocked into the river… which I took as his baptism.
You may be surprised to learn that “hallowed” was not a word I used a lot when I was 7. You may also be surprised to find out that it’s still not a word I use often. I use the word aardvark more often.
Anyway, my Sunday School teacher said that “hallowed be thy name” was adoration. But if you listen carefully it sounds more like a hope. “Please grant my desire that your name be revered.” If adoration was intended, Jesus would not have said it the same way he said "thy kingdom come," in which He was asking for something.
It’s a request. “Please grant my desire that your name be revered.”
If I told my wife, “you are beautiful to me.” That would be adoration. If I said, “I request that you be beautiful to me,” it would be a well earned instant ticket to sleeping on the couch, but not adoration.
Similarly, “forgive us our trespasses," is not confession, it’s a request.
Rule of thumb: If you can put a "please" in the front, or the end of the sentence, it’s not adoration, confession, or thanksgiving, it’s a request.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Conversational Prayer
I have been doing some searching on the topic of "conversational prayer." I have been distressed to notice that 95% of the time the topic is a technique for a group to pray together in a way that resembles a conversation more than a monologue rather than an exploration of developing and maintaining an ongoing conversation with God.
I'm a big fan of a group prayer technique that engages the soul of every person. I'm a much bigger fan of living in conversation with God.
I'm a big fan of a group prayer technique that engages the soul of every person. I'm a much bigger fan of living in conversation with God.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
More Powerful than Prayer
What’s more powerful than prayer? Abiding in Christ. It is only as we abide in Him that we know how to pray.
John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you can ask for what you want and it shall be given to you.”
Of course, if we make it our goal to abide in Christ so that we can get whatever we want, we will never succeed at either goal. If we abide in Christ, our wants will be forever altered.
Romans 6 is clear that we died with Christ, and because of that, we live with Him, too.
“For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death (which is symbolized in the immersion of baptism), we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection.”
Rom 12 adds that we should live these resurrected lives as living sacrifices. Not sacrifices that die on the altar, but sacrifices that live. Sacrifices that died with Christ and now abide in Him. We are sacrifices that live Holy lives, lives that are pleasing to God.
In this way our wants are altered to become His wants. John 15:7 is a promise, but it might be better to see it as a barometer. If I am given whatever I prayerfully want, I can be assured that I am abiding in Him, and His words are abiding in me.
But if I am not given what I prayerfully want, it demonstrates that I am not capable of understanding His heart in the matter. But our gracious Lord knows our weakness. He understands our hurt. He even understands our heart when it is out of sync with His. And He still loves. He still welcomes us. He still calls us to trust Him more. He still offers the promise. If you will abide in me….you shall have what your heart most deeply wants.
Challenge: Spend 5 minutes each morning, consciously placing yourself in His presence.
Next Topic: “What’s more gracious than salvation?”
John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you can ask for what you want and it shall be given to you.”
Of course, if we make it our goal to abide in Christ so that we can get whatever we want, we will never succeed at either goal. If we abide in Christ, our wants will be forever altered.
Romans 6 is clear that we died with Christ, and because of that, we live with Him, too.
“For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death (which is symbolized in the immersion of baptism), we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection.”
Rom 12 adds that we should live these resurrected lives as living sacrifices. Not sacrifices that die on the altar, but sacrifices that live. Sacrifices that died with Christ and now abide in Him. We are sacrifices that live Holy lives, lives that are pleasing to God.
In this way our wants are altered to become His wants. John 15:7 is a promise, but it might be better to see it as a barometer. If I am given whatever I prayerfully want, I can be assured that I am abiding in Him, and His words are abiding in me.
But if I am not given what I prayerfully want, it demonstrates that I am not capable of understanding His heart in the matter. But our gracious Lord knows our weakness. He understands our hurt. He even understands our heart when it is out of sync with His. And He still loves. He still welcomes us. He still calls us to trust Him more. He still offers the promise. If you will abide in me….you shall have what your heart most deeply wants.
Challenge: Spend 5 minutes each morning, consciously placing yourself in His presence.
Next Topic: “What’s more gracious than salvation?”
Monday, October 29, 2007
What are the right things to pray for?
I don’t believe God is ever annoyed that we pray for the “wrong things.” I think He is so delighted that we have decided to show up for a conversation, that what we ask for is of relatively minor importance.
The fact that we show up at all reveals at least a modicum of…
Recognition that He exists
Recognition that He is powerful enough to answer
Recognition that He is kind enough to respond
Recognition that we are dependent on Him
I think He is so delighted that we show up in prayer, that the content of what we pray for is less critical. I’m not certain there are “right things and a wrong things” in what we pray for. (I don’t think my view contradicts I John 5:16.)
The fact that we show up at all reveals at least a modicum of…
Recognition that He exists
Recognition that He is powerful enough to answer
Recognition that He is kind enough to respond
Recognition that we are dependent on Him
I think He is so delighted that we show up in prayer, that the content of what we pray for is less critical. I’m not certain there are “right things and a wrong things” in what we pray for. (I don’t think my view contradicts I John 5:16.)
Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Faith of "Dogs"
A Canaanite woman cried out “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is demon possessed!” Jesus did not respond to her at all. His disciples finally begged him to get the woman to shut up, because she kept on yelling after them. So, Jesus rebuked the woman by saying “I have been sent to feed the children of God.” She interrupted by repeating her plea “Lord, Help me!” But Jesus replied, “It’s not right for me to take the food meant for the children and give it to the dogs.” She answered “Even the dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall from the table.” Jesus responded to her faith, “Woman, your faith is great! You have what you request.” Her daughter was healed from that time. Matthew 15:22 -28
Why was Jesus rude to this woman?
She called Him the right thing. He is “Lord, Son of David.” She recognized Him as King of the Jews, the Messiah. When Peter said it, Jesus blessed him. When a blind, beggar yelled it, Jesus marveled at his faith. She called Him the right thing but he “did not answer a word.” He ignored her.
She also had the right attitude. Her prayer was “Have mercy on me.” When Jesus taught about the attitude of prayer he contrasted a proud Pharisee who publicly boasted in his prayer with a humble tax-collector who said “have mercy on me.” This woman’s prayer came from the right attitude of humility. But he ignored her.
She also had the right persistence. Jesus taught that “even an un-just person will answer your request if you pester him long enough, how much more so will God give good things to those that ask Him?” She was persistent to the point that she was annoying the disciples because she “keeps crying out after us.”
If praying well is a formula, she seems to nail it. She rightly knows who she’s praying to (check that box). She has the right attitude of humility and dependence (check that box). She has the right method of being persistent (check that box).
So why in heaven’s name did He react rudely by completely ignoring her? And then, when He did speak, He said probably the most demeaning thing He ever said to anyone. “Why should I take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” He called her a dog! He was saying, “there are other people here who are so much more important than you, that it would be wrong to spend any time on you. The “children” deserve and warrant my time and attention, not a “dog.”
If God said that to you or me, while we were praying to Him about something desperately important, how would we respond? I would be hurt and angry. I could easily see myself accusing God of hypocrisy. “Excuse me? Exactly how do you call yourself the ‘God of Love,’ and then go around calling those that pray to you, dogs?”
But, I stand in humble amazement at the woman’s answer. “Even the dogs can get the crumbs that fall from the table.” Ponder the humility of that response. She did not argue the validity of her comparison between her and the dogs. She did not argue the rudeness of His response. She remained humble. She remained humble. She remained humble. Her steadfastness in humility, submission, and persistence frankly puts me to shame.
Clearly she was so convinced of her own dependency and His power that she would not let anything, including His behavior change her mind. Her faith was not dependent on anything, including His words and actions.
I don’t know why God would choose to model rudeness in this story. (He compared Himself to an unjust judge to teach about persistence.) But maybe He chose His response so that we could see the humble persistence that would be amazing even to Him. “Woman, your faith is great! You have what you request.”