Thursday Open Heavens Devotional - A Child Or A Dog?

                                

Memorise: But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. Matthew 15:26...

Read: Matthew 15:21-28

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Message

In His discussion with the Syro-Phoenician woman whose daughter was possessed by evil spirits, Jesus expounded that those who belong to the kingdom of God are children of the kingdom, while those outside of the kingdom are viewed as dogs. This truth is further established in Revelation 22:15:

“For without are dogs, and sorcerers and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

Jesus also said that miracles are meant for children of the kingdom and not for dogs. This should be food for thought for anyone seeking a miracle. The question is, “Are you a child or a dog?” You are a candidate for miracles of all sorts if you are a child, but it is unfortunate if you remain in the position of a dog.

What are the traits of those considered as dogs in the kingdom of God? The Psalmist gives some insight into this in Psalm 22:16:

“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have in closed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”

This means that the wicked are dogs. Paul , in Philippians 3:2 also warned against evil workers whom the described as dogs:

“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”

In light of these, sinners who refused to repent and come to the side of God are dogs.

One the other hand, the forgiven of the Lord are children (Psalm 32:1). Only the children of the Miracle Worker can access His miracles. The Bible in Isaiah 63:8 says:

“For the said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.”

Unless a person repents and believe in the saving Name of Jesus Christ, he remains a dog. Are you a dog or a child? Get ready for a big miracle this season if you are truly one of the children of God. If you are not, be ready to give up your pride and self-righteousness in order to be adopted by the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ the Lord, if you really want a miracle urgently. Miracles are food meant for children and not for dogs. Repent today and get that miracle you need so urgently!

Action Point: Examine yourself to ascertain if you are a genuine child of God. If you are, cry to your father for that miracle you urgently need.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 43-44 and ACTS 9:1-22