October 9, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"But He answered her not a word." — Matthew 15:23 · KJV

Genuine seekers who have not yet obtained the blessing may take comfort from the story before us. The Savior did not at once bestow the blessing, even though the woman had great faith in Him; He meant to give it, but He waited a while — "He answered her not a word." Were her prayers not good? Never better in all the world. Was her case not needy? Sorrowfully needy. Did she not feel her need enough? She felt it overwhelmingly. Was she not earnest enough? She was intensely earnest. Had she no faith? She had it in such a high degree that even Jesus marveled and said, "O woman, great is thy faith." See, then, that although faith brings peace, it does not always bring it instantly. There may be reasons calling for the trial of faith rather than its reward. Genuine faith may lie in the soul like a hidden seed, not yet budded and blossomed into joy and peace. A painful silence from the Savior is the grievous trial of many a seeking soul; but heavier still is the affliction of a harsh, cutting reply such as this: "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." Many, in waiting on the Lord, find immediate delight, but not all. Some, like the jailer, are turned in a moment from darkness to light; others are plants of slower growth. A deeper sense of sin may be given you instead of a sense of pardon, and in that case you will need patience to bear the heavy blow. Ah, poor heart, though Christ beat and bruise you, or even slay you, trust Him; though He should give you an angry word, believe in the love of His heart. Do not, I beg you, give up seeking or trusting my Master, because you have not yet obtained the conscious joy you long for. Cast yourself on Him, and perseveringly depend on Him, even where you cannot rejoicingly hope.