Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 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.

Matthew 15:25-28

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Mark 7:26-29

As I mentioned before, this scene does not show Jesus’ “human side” and expose His racism as a Jew. What this exchange does show us is how un-abandoned faith can overcome many obstacles, both real and perceived.

This Gentile woman knew that it was “unlawful” by traditional Jewish standards for her to come into the presence of Jesus much less talk with Him face to face. But her faith overcame that, and she came anyway.

When the religious “leaders” of the day did everything they could to destroy the ministry and reputation of Jesus, her faith overcame their influence and she came and called Him Lord, The Son of David (Messiah), and worshipped Him as God. She came anyway.

When Jesus Himself gave her the traditional treatment a Jew gave a Gentile in those days by calling her less-than-human (a dog), her faith overcame her pride and she came anyway.

You see, the entire event was a test of her faith, and… she passed with flying colors!

Often we think that God has little to no regard for our hurting or struggles. When we do not get an immediate answer, we think He does not care. What we need to know is that God does care.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:

Isaiah 53:4a

AND He knows when we need to use our faith more.

The Pharisess had been shown clearly Who Jesus was. Yet, they rejected Him. Most of the multitude of disciples that were following just a few days before had turned away from Jesus as well. But this woman…This “Gentile Dog” ignored what others thought, said, and did. This woman moved on faith! The result? Jesus heard, and answered prayer.

When trials come, let us remember the “faith of a dog,” and stay at the feet of Jesus as long as we need Him.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16