In association with the last two posts Stuck in The Mud , and Re-dig the Well. I would like to look at another thread along that same theme, this tapestry He is weaving during this section of my life; this heavy season that I don’t believe I am alone in walking . I would like to open a couple of verses and convey once again the message I believe The Holy Spirit is trying to convey in my life and for anyone else finding themselves struggling to walk in that favored blessing of God Almighty.
I am a firm believer in trusting in His WORD, and HIS WORD alone for clarity, direction, and my sense of being.
In the book of Matthew there are two different accounts regarding dogs and with those verses I would like to present to you this message = Dog Daze.
Matthew 7:6 “Do not give to dogs, that which is sacred,..”
Matthew 15:21-28 {summarized] -A Canaanite woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon came to Jesus and cried out “Son of David have mercy on me.” The disciples bid her to depart from them. Jesus said to her “I have come to the lost sheep of Israel”, and in verse 26 ” He replied, it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.
Now these texts can seem harsh coming from the loving Savior of all mankind, let us just say he also likes to teach us things that are hard or difficult to understand -leaving us somewhat baffled – in a Dog Daze.
Firstly, a dog has many functions in the current world, as well as that of in Jesus time and before. Just to say this and get it out the way, dog spelled backwards is god, also known as mans best friend, so we can discount any notion of me presenting dogs as being anything less than an amazing gift from our creator.
So what is the type of dogs The LORD is referring to here? It is not the animal but is a metaphorical image of two type of people. The first category are those that not only refuse and reject the words you share with them but also use the deep intimately confided words you’ve shared and then turn and take the tenderness of heart felt vulnerability you share and use it against you. That which is sacred is not only the deep tender parts of your heart, but also the gospel message of salvation and eternal life in the presence of a Holy, Just, and Loving God. Gods word and His Gospel message are Holy and sacred in that they too are precious gifts of sharing His heart with humanity.
The second type are those not considered His “children” let us say those outside of His covenant relationship. In OT times the phrase Goyim was used for the nations, later it became known as heathen, Pagan, or Gentiles, today we just call those folks “unsaved” NOT “Born again” as those yet still dead to God in trespasses and sin, because they have not accepted His free gift of salvation provided by His only begotten Son Jesus of Nazareth.
Words matter and from here I would like to turn our attention to The WORD, or Bread as we will see and discover a beautiful message conveyed by The LORD Jesus Christ to this woman whom his disciples saw as less than, but needed to learn the Truth of how valuable she is and was to God.
This woman sought healing for her daughter, Jesus alluded to it as bread. “Healing IS the children’s bread”…bread is for healing to his children did you catch that? Let it sink into your spirit for a moment. The bread to which Jesus is referring is not crushed flour and oil, and salt with or without yeast. Manna was provided everyday for forty years, it was the source of life to the Hebrews wandering the desert. Jesus testifies that He IS that bread which came down from heaven.
In the right hand side of the Tabernacle or the Holy place of the temple stood to the the table of showbread, also known as the “bread of His presence”. This bread represented His presence His body (bread) as well as the twelve tribes – His children. There is an offering described for the priests to make a fellowship offering, wave offering, it was unleavened “bread” cooked on the fire of the altar of God, When it was grilled it left on it certain marks, stripes. In Isaiah 53:5 it is declared referring the the Messiah that “By His stripes we are Healed” Those stripes were borne on the back of Jesus as he was savagely whipped and beaten for our iniquity and transgression. On the night of his betrayal The “Last Supper” he broke bread and said to take eat this was His body. In John 1:1 it declares “In the beginning was The WORD, and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God. The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us!” Jn 1:1 Hallelujah! Born in Bethlehem (it literally means House of Bread!)
In Psalms 107:20(a) The Bible testifies that “he sent forth His WORD and healed them,” the term “word” here in Hebrew is “dabar” Strong’s #1697 in the Greek they used the terms Logos (written) & Rhema (spoken, declared, revealed); Jesus The WORD, He is The Bread, and He IS our HEALING!
We need to understand and get this into our DNA that Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be! Not just a good teacher, not just a prophet , He was and Is and will always be The Son of The Living God, the exact representation of God in human form. He needed to make this truth known and shown, demonstrated for his disciples as well as for us this many years and millennia later. Do we see Him for who He is? The Canaanite woman did, she boldly approached the throne of Grace and asked for Mercy, she called Him “Son of David” a title of Messiah which means Christ or Anointed One. He, Jesus, knew of what she was in need of. He came to destroy the works of the devil; so removing a tormenting demonic spiritual possession from a child was something he was more than willing and able to do.
Her statement of understanding ( her faith), even a dog – those humble enough to know they do not deserve anything from The Masters hand at least get the crumbs – tiny fragmented pieces of bread. A piece of Him is all we need, just a touch of his hem. The slightest revelation of this relationship is all that is required. She – speaking of the Canaanite woman revealed that truth, even a dog if it’s Master is even of little good will provide it’s scraps to their dogs. Leading Jesus to declare to her, “Great is your FAITH. Your request is granted.”
Dog Daze is when we allow the influencing voices and thoughts, those that trample on us, discourage and discredit us, they will destroy us if we allow them to. They will prevent us from receiving exactly what The LORD God has for us, His goodness and favor, His Peace (Shalom), His healing. A daze is a confused state of mind or being and the author of that confusion is the one and only adversary who desires our destruction. Satan, the devil seeks to destroy and that is the destruction of our souls by discounting God at His WORD. And ALL that God has purposed for our lives. To shipwreck our faith!
So let us cast ALL our cares upon Him and in place carry His burden and be bound by His Yoke which He states is Light & Easy. Opening our hearts and minds to the TRUTH and learn like one of His disciples from this this humble and despised woman. Who walked away full of FAITH and Victory and assuredness about the Love and Promise of God’s WORD Christ Jesus The Lord.
Exodus 23:25 (NKJV) “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will Bless your Bread (Word) and your Water (Spirit). And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Healing, deliverance, wholeness, and salvation is Yours and can only be found fully and completely in Christ Jesus – would you find Him in your heart today?
Jesus is right here right now and He is saying to you Behold I stand at the door and knock, to all who invite me in with him will I come in and dine with you. The Word is near you, it is in your mouth and in your heart. So believe and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and that His Father- God raised Him from death to Eternal Life and you shall be healed, saved, and delivered.
Healing IS the Children’s Bread, so would you humbly accept His invitation to be adopted into His family?
And go from Dog Daze to God’s Glorious Rays – of Hope, Healing, and Wellness.
Let FAITH Arise
In The Name above ALL Names: Yeshua ha Mashiac
Amen
A Watchmen on the Wall 