The Prize of the Humble

And she said, Truth Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Matthew 15:27 No dogs will gain entrance to God's kingdom. Further, if Heaven does have crumbs . . . even they are forbidden to "dogs" (Rev. 22:15). Yet, even for this lowly outsider, there was opportunity to become a precious insider, through a means which may turn God's enemies, into his very friends: simple humility. Pride, you may recall, is what set Lucifer tumbling out of the heavens. He said, within himself, "I will ascend to the sides of the north, . . . I will be like the most High." Instead, God's decree was . . . that he reach a new low, in a prison called hell, prepared for the devil and his angels (Isaiah 14:13,14, Matt. 25:41). Lucifer (the Light Bearer) couldn't even retain his name, for, being drowned in his own spittle, he become Satan, the Adversary of God's people. Pride is the death-knell, to any who would walk with God. It stinks, in his nostrils, nor can he stand for it to raise its head, in his sight. It is, in fact, the great divide between saving faith, and the apostate. You may never have thought of it, in this way. Yet, if unwary, so that we become proud in our relationship . . . we will fall, ourselves, into a similar pit. Walking in the Spirit, always requires walking in humility-but, we are getting way ahead of ourselves! Let's go back, and beyond, to the woman in the dust, begging for the life of her daughter. Jesus Christ was sent into our world, as the Jewish Messiah. The name "Christ" (Anointed One) is a Greek term for the Hebrew expression, "Messiah" (or Deliverer). Although taken for granted, today, and dandied about in almost any crisis–from "Saving" the middle East peace talks, to being a Savior, on Wall Street (to rescue a failing bond market, etc.) this term, of the Messiah, was a carefully spelled out, and demonstrated supreme hope, in the life of the Hebrew people. Its origins were in animal sacrifices, earlier instituted, and carefully enlarged upon, by the prophets. It was to Abram, that the Lord had issued the call, and invitation, to leave his pagan homeland in Babylonia (in Ur, of the Chaldees) to find a new home for a special people, having their foundations and infrastructure, formulated by God (Heb. 11:10). This was to be the start of a new race of people: a people who would trace their roots, not to mere men (or Abraham) but to the Lord, himself; the Messiah, who would himself be the firstborn of many brethren (Rom. 8:29). But, of course, all of this was future. Abram understood little of this, starting out, by faith, for a new homeland. God had simply told him to leave behind all he then knew: family, friends, and acquaintances, and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:2,3 Abram did not immediately obey (having waited for his father to die, first). Nor did he leave everyone behind (taking nephew Lot, who was then part of the household). Yet, he did eventually launch out by faith, into the unknown, for God. Through the trials and testing which would soon follow, as he tried (and failed) to produce the promised seed for this new race, Abram (the "exalted father") would eventually have his name changed to Abraham ("father of a multitude") by the action of God, alone. Thus, did the father of the faith, learn that it is by faith alone, that we please the living God. It was a humbling (and exhilarating!) experience: to find that at the end of his rope, and the end of hope, itself, the One who had called him, was also providing the Answer to his dreams and prayers, in the birth of Isaac ("Laughter") and then, . . . the testing. Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Genesis 22:1,2 nkj Faith, the Bible tells us, is the substance of things hoped for: it is a solid rock, upon rests a definite understanding of, and commitment to, God. Over the years Abraham had heard, and verified, God's voice, in his calling. Now it was God, who was testing him. Would he obey? Would he question God? What, really, was his understanding of God? In the Bible, we are told of another key ingredient of saving faith. In addition to humility (and a willingness to submit to God) there must also be what the Bible calls "the fear of God." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," the psalmist wrote, "a good understanding have all they that do his commandments." (Psalm 111:10). Although it is popular to define this "fear" as "reverence" --such is not an honest appraisal, at all. For, in both the Hebrew, and Greek, of both the Old and New Testaments, the only way this term may be properly translated is not "awe" and reverence--but fear and dread. As the writer to the Hebrews wrote of Moses' experience on Mount Sinai, "I exceedingly fear and quake," (Heb. 12:21). In other words, in a proper understanding of our relationship with God, we come to realize that our actions have very definite consequences. We may not disobey God with impunity. There is a price to be paid. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26,27 Only a fool plays with God. Only fools mock his goodness and mercy. Like a mad man dancing on the very edge of the Grand Canyon, or upon the ledge of the Empire State Building's observation deck , is the man playing with the grace of God. Yes, forgiveness may be found, but oh, the broken bones received, in the process (assuming you survive the fall)! The truly wise man does not play with God: he fears (reverences, and obeys) God. This also, Abraham had: the fear of God. He knew that, given a choice between obedience to God, and trying to go it on his own, the safest route is always to side with God'. His "gamble" paid off (as it always does, in true faith) and the Lord provided him with a ram in the bush. But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am." And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Genesis 22:11,12 nkj Then it was, that Abraham's eyes were opened so that he saw the ram caught in the thicket, so close by. —And now, the requirement of God, could be easily met, by offering the ram, in Isaac's place. Jesus Christ is our ram, in the thicket. He is the Messiah, of the seed of Abraham, and son of David (in Israel's prototype, of the Messianic king -Is. 55:3,4). Through him, the entire world may be blessed. It was not easy for God (at all - Matt. 27:46) but may be, for us, because of his sacrifice. And this is what that outcast woman, from Syrophenicia, was calling out for: the Son of David, and Messiah, whom she'd heard was walking the earth. Was it true? Was he really the Messiah? Would he not help a foreigner, as well? "Lord," she pleaded, "please help my daughter, who is demon possessed!" Jesus, however, knew exactly what his mission was: it was to the Jews. She was a "stranger." It wasn't time to open the gospel to the whole world, yet. So Christ answered, appropriately. I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. vs. 24 Then, . . . it was true. Only the children of Abraham were eligible for the blessings! Yet, . . . yet, she had heard so many things about the mercies of this God of Abraham. Perhaps . . . just maybe? Maybe this God would not laugh at her, if she begged him for assistance (as do the false gods, of the earth)? She would prostrate herself, and throw herself, upon his mercies. She pleaded, again: "Lord, help me." But his answer, this time, is even more emphatic. It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs. vs. 26 One more time. A dog? Yes, Lord, I'll humble myself. I need you Lord!!! Her petition, now, in agony. Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. How could the loving Lord refuse? She'd reminded him so much of himself. No, they didn't realize, fully, how humiliating it had been, to step out of the portals of glory, to walk on this dusty earth. They hardly even guessed, what it was like to leave behind the adoration of angels, for a walk among mere men, as a mortal. How often they had disrespected him!! Now truly impressed, he would grant her request. It was true, that she was out of season: True also, that she was out of order, and yet . . . she had touched his heart. O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. vss. 27,28 And the child was healed, instantly, as the Lord had commanded. Is there a lesson, here, for us? Like Abraham, we must all come to the realization, that no matter who we are . . . we are utterly dependant upon the One who made us. Woe unto us, if we exalt ourselves! Blessed are we, when we unite with him, and his people, in love. Come, let us do likewise. Here, we shall find rest, peace, and the unity of the Spirit. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 (see also vss 6-8)

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