T H E K IN G ’ S BU S INE SS PERTINENT ILLUSTRATIONS
319
B y W . H. Pike.
E V E R Y T H IN G the, Syrophenician woman heard from the disciples and .the Lord Himself only tested her faith but she must have reasoned that a good man o f His character would not overlook her need. Here trust was in His character. She had many obstacles to overcome. She addressed Jesus as Son o f David (Matt. 15:22), and being a Gentile, she had no right to call Him thus. Her address brought no word from Jesus. Then she called Him Lord, and He said, “Let the Jews, my own people, have the truth and blessing o f the Kingdom. It is not given to Gentile dogs.” But her faith rosé even above all these words. It is told o f George Mueller, that in coming across the Atlantic, to speak in Montreal, his boat encountered a dense fog. He walked up to the captain who was a Christian and a friend o f his and said, “How long will this fog delay us?” The captain said, “ These fogs do not usually lift for from three to five days.” “ But,” said Dr. Mueller, “I must be in Montreal to speak on such a date.” “You cannot get there,” answered the captain. “Well,” said Mr. Mueller, “we will ask God about it.” They, went to the' captain’s cabin and Mr. Mueller prayed, then putting his hand on the captain’s shoulder he said, “You need not pray, captain, as the fog has lifted. I will not go up on deck to see, but you can.” The captain went up, very much in doubt, for he knew the fog conditions so well, but to his surprise the fog was all gone and the sun was shining. They made the voyage on time. There is no difficulty too great for our God to overcome, and real faith laughs at obstacles. The Humility of Faith .—The woman who
took the place of a dog. Jesus called her a Gentile dog, and she said, “Even the dogs under the table get the crumbs.” The word here translated means little dogs. Faith never boasts but in God. Faith never acts with pride. A young man working in a factory was handed an envelope containing his week’s salary and a note saying, “Your services are not needed longer.” This was humil iating. He took it to God in prayer. The only impression he received was to go to a nearby town and see a friend. He spent Sunday with this friend, and was thç means while there o f leading two persons to Christ. He came back to his home on Monday morning, praying much about what to do to find work. He found a note which read, Come to the office immediately.” He went, and the superintendent gave him a better position with a larger salary. It is the testimony o f most Godly people that humiliation usually precedes the answer of faith, and the life o f faith is a humble life. Victory o f Faith .—This is seen in thé Words o f Jesus, “Go thy way, the Devil has gone out o f thy daughter,” and she went to her home and found the Devil gone out. In the other incident in this les son Jesus Himself is a splendid illustration o f faith. He said, “Be opened,” , and straightway his ears were opened and his tongue loosed. It is sàid a French General was asked how he was getting along in holding back the Germans from Paris. -¡“ Splendidly,” he replied, “my left wing is smashed, my right wing is smashed and we are plowing through the center.” The church needs Christians with this kind o f faith.
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