The Bible: Day 22- “God’s Perfect Timing” (Psalm 13, Matthew 15:10-39, Genesis 43-44)

Introduction:
We all have trials and tribulations that arise in our lives, and like yesterday, they are known as the storms of life. There are moments when we all cry out how much longer are we to endure these raging storms? Are you hearing our cries, LORD? The answer is yes; He hears our cries and sees our sufferings, but amid these storms, there is His timing, which is always perfect. However, it can feel as if He is not listening to us, and we become frustrated as we endure these storms, these everyday pains. The pain could be physical or emotional and come in many forms, depending on how it manifests itself. Regardless of your feelings today regarding physical or emotional pain, remember that our faith makes us well, and we should all strive for that endurance of our faith in Christ.

WISDOM/ READING PSALM 13:
David’s cry of despair to the LORD tells us that David is dealing with the storms of life.
- David is in despair because he repeats, “How long, O LORD.” (repeated four times, in vv. 1-2).
- David’s prayer teaches us and the Church how to attain an exceedingly joyful heart in our singing and praising to the LORD (v. 6).
- We see godly sorrow and also repentance over all sins that have been committed, so that the spiritual enemies and their ways be victorious over us (vv. 3, & 5; see also 2 Corinthians 7:10), and next we see David petitioning the LORD to enlighten the eyes of the heart, and lest the sleep of death overtake us in our spiritual battles (v. 4; see also Ephesians 1:18; and Ephesians 5:14). Lastly we get our answer of endurance of waiting on the LORD’s timing, we are to hope in the LORD’s mercy (v. 6).

THE NEW TESTAMENT/ READING MATTHEW 15:10-39:
- In vv. 10-20, Jesus continues to hammer the state of one’s heart and to leave the Pharisees alone; v. 14, Jesus calls the Pharisees blind leaders of blind people, and He says when the blind lead blind people, both fall into a ditch. The ditch is their destruction for following the ways of those who choose to harden their hearts and suspend all need for mercy and compassion.
Jesus seems to be suggesting that those who are spiritually blind or even misguided should be left alone, and if you follow them, it could lead you to negative consequences for both those leaders and those who follow their lead. Jesus is suggesting the importance of discernment when we choose spiritual guidance.
In v. 22- The woman shows us immeasurable love- she shows us how she identifies with the sufferings of her daughter because she cries out, “Have mercy on me,” she is showing that her daughter’s well-being is her own. Her daughter’s sufferings are her own. Imagine how long she endured both the sufferings of her daughter and the emotional pain that went along with her daughter’s suffering.
In v. 23- Jesus does not respond to the woman seeking help. The disciples suggest that He send her away, but I see a test of faith along with persistence, and we see an illustration that even in silence, one’s determination can lead to a response from God. In vv. 26-28, Jesus reveals the woman’s humility; she was patient but persistent and accepted her place beneath the Jews, yet she still desires to share in God’s grace.
- In vv. 29-31: The healing of the multitudes. Here, Jesus sees how they have less faith than the Canaanite woman. Jesus delayed the healing of the woman to show her perseverance in waiting on God’s timing, but here, He is quick to stop the mouths of the unbelieving Jews.
- In vv. 32-39: Jesus shows the importance of feeding those in need, whether we are to feed them with the Word or the breaking of bread, in v. 34- Seven loaves of bread, meaning spiritual perfection. In v. 32, Christ was with them for three days, indicating the days He would rest in the tomb.

THE OLD TESTAMENT/ READING GENESIS 43-44:
Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt for more grain. Joseph, being a high official, decides to test his brothers’ honesty by putting a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack; they are distressed by the finding, but Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, and this leads us to the emotional reconciliation between Joseph, his brothers, and his father. Joseph’s trust in the LORD and waiting for His timing paid off because his faith made him well.

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