Persistent Faith: The Power of a Crumb

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Moves God

Faith is not just a feeling or a belief; it is an action that draws the attention of God. When you step out in faith, even when circumstances seem impossible or when you feel unworthy, God notices. The Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus, a Gentile with no claim to the promises of Israel, yet her persistent faith moved Jesus to act on her behalf. She was not deterred by silence, discouragement, or even insult—her faith pressed through every barrier. God is not moved by our status, our background, or even our desperation alone, but by our faith that He is able and willing to help. When you approach God with faith, even if it’s just a crumb, you open the door for miracles, signs, and wonders in your life. [01:04]

Matthew 15:21-28 (CSB)
When Jesus left there, he withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely tormented by a demon.” Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples approached him and urged him, “Send her away because she’s crying out after us.” He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, help me!” He answered, “It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to move past discouragement or feelings of unworthiness and boldly bring your need to God in faith today?

Day 2: Persevering Faith in the Face of Silence

Great faith is not deterred by silence or setbacks. The woman in Matthew 15 was met with silence from Jesus, rejection from the disciples, and even an apparent insult, yet she persisted. Persevering faith keeps pressing forward, even when heaven seems quiet and answers are delayed. It is in these moments that your faith is tested and refined. Will you keep praying, keep believing, and keep seeking God even when you don’t see immediate results? The difference between great faith and unbelief is often found in the willingness to pray one more “crummy” prayer, to try again, and to never give up. [26:25]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: When have you been tempted to give up praying or believing for something? What is one way you can persevere in faith this week, even if you feel like giving up?

Day 3: Faith Leads Us to Worship

True faith not only seeks answers but also leads us to worship God, regardless of the outcome. The Syrophoenician woman worshipped Jesus even after being ignored and insulted. She knelt before Him, acknowledging His lordship and power. Faith that leads to worship is faith that trusts God’s character above all else. When you worship in the silence, in the waiting, and in the struggle, you draw near to the very heart of God. Worship in faith brings you into the presence of the Bread of Life, where miracles and blessings are within reach. [34:22]

John 4:23-24 (ESV)
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Reflection: How can you intentionally turn your prayers and needs into moments of worship today, even if you haven’t yet seen the answer?

Day 4: Share What God Has Given You

When God answers your prayers and blesses you, it is not just for your benefit. Like the lepers who found abundance in the enemy’s camp, we are called to share the blessings, hope, and faith we have received with others who are still in need. There is a world around you that needs what God has given you—your testimony, your encouragement, your faith. Don’t keep the good news to yourself; let your faith overflow into acts of love and service for others. [16:47]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage or share your faith with this week, especially someone who needs hope or a reminder of God’s faithfulness?

Day 5: Even a Crumb of Faith Can Move Mountains

God honors even the smallest measure of faith. The woman came seeking just a crumb, but her persistent, humble faith led to a miracle and the commendation of Jesus Himself. Sometimes all you have is a “crummy” prayer or a tiny bit of hope, but God can use that to do exceedingly more than you can imagine. Don’t underestimate what God can do with your little—He can turn it into abundance. Let your faith, no matter how small, move you toward God and expect Him to do great things. [22:23]

Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Reflection: What is one “crumb” of faith you can offer to God today—one small prayer, step, or act of trust—and how can you expect Him to multiply it?

Sermon Summary

The story of the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15 reveals the kind of faith that truly moves God. She was an outsider, a Gentile, with no claim to the promises given to Israel, yet she came to Jesus with a desperate need for her daughter’s deliverance. Despite being ignored, dismissed by the disciples, and even insulted by Jesus, she persisted. Her faith was not deterred by silence or rejection; instead, it pressed on, believing that even a crumb from the Master’s table was enough to bring healing and transformation.

Faith is not about having everything figured out or possessing a perfect track record. It’s about coming to God with what little we have, even if it’s just a crumb of faith, and refusing to let go. The Bible is filled with stories of people who, in their darkest moments, chose to trust God. Whether it was Daniel in the lion’s den, the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, or Noah building the ark, it was faith that carried them through. These stories are not just for children’s Sunday school—they are meant to build our faith and remind us that God still works miracles, signs, and wonders.

Sometimes, God’s silence is not a “no,” but a test of our perseverance. The Syrophoenician woman’s faith was great because it was persistent. She didn’t let discouragement, silence, or even insult stop her. She kept pressing in, worshipping, and crying out until she received her answer. This is the kind of faith that moves God—the kind that keeps going when everything says to give up.

We are called to have this persevering faith, to keep praying, believing, and seeking God even when the answer seems delayed. Every setback is an opportunity to push back in faith. Even if all we have is a crummy prayer, God can turn it into a miracle. The story is not just about the woman’s daughter being healed; it’s about a faith that refused to be denied. Let our lives be marked by such faith, so that God would look at us and say, “Great faith.”

Key Takeaways

1. Faith moves God, not our qualifications or background. The Syrophoenician woman was an outsider, yet her faith brought her into the center of God’s attention. God is not limited by our status or history; He responds to those who come to Him in faith, believing that even a crumb from His table is enough to meet their need. [03:33]
2. Persevering faith presses on through silence, discouragement, and even insult. When Jesus was silent and the disciples wanted to send her away, the woman did not give up. True faith is tested in the waiting and in the face of obstacles; it is in these moments that our trust in God is refined and proven genuine. [25:27]
3. God often uses small things—a crumb of faith, a simple prayer, a desperate cry—to accomplish great miracles. The woman came for a crumb and received the whole loaf. Never underestimate the power of a small act of faith; God delights in turning little things into abundant blessings. [22:23]
4. Silence from God is not a denial but an invitation to deeper trust and persistence. The period between our cry and God’s answer is where faith is forged. Instead of retreating in discouragement, we are called to keep walking, keep praying, and keep believing, knowing that God hears and will answer in His time. [09:38]
5. Great faith is not just about receiving for ourselves but also about sharing what God has done. Like the lepers who found abundance and went back to share with others, our faith should lead us to bring hope and blessing to those around us. The world needs what God has given us, and our testimony of faith can inspire others to seek Him as well. [16:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - The Syrophoenician Woman’s Plea
[03:33] - Faith in Action: Bible Stories that Inspire
[06:46] - The Power of a Crumb of Faith
[09:38] - Faith in the Silence
[11:50] - Living by Faith Through Trials
[15:10] - The Lepers’ Bold Faith
[16:47] - Sharing the Blessing: Faith for Others
[21:03] - The Nature of Great Faith
[22:23] - The Value of a Crumb: Persistent Faith
[24:13] - The Test of Faith: Silence and Insult
[25:27] - Persevering When Discouraged
[26:25] - Miracles, Signs, and Wonders
[33:52] - Worship in the Waiting
[35:23] - Personal Testimony: Faith in Crisis
[36:40] - Overcoming Obstacles by Faith
[41:23] - Squeezing Out Great Faith
[42:53] - Closing Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What obstacles did the Syrophoenician woman face when she came to Jesus, and how did she respond to each one? ([24:13])
How did Jesus initially respond to the woman’s request, and what was the reaction of the disciples? ([01:04])
What did the woman mean when she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table”? ([22:23])
According to the sermon, what was it about the woman’s faith that made Jesus say, “Woman, your faith is great”? ([21:03])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus was silent and even seemed to insult the woman before granting her request? What might this teach us about how God sometimes responds to our prayers? ([24:13])
The sermon says, “Faith moves God, not our qualifications or background.” How does the story of the Syrophoenician woman illustrate this truth? ([03:33])
The preacher mentioned that “sometimes God’s silence is not a ‘no,’ but a test of our perseverance.” How does this idea challenge or encourage your understanding of unanswered prayer? ([09:38])
The woman came for a crumb and received the whole loaf. What does this say about the power of even a small amount of faith? ([22:23])

Application Questions

The Syrophoenician woman didn’t let silence, discouragement, or even insult stop her from seeking Jesus. Can you think of a time when you felt ignored or discouraged in prayer? How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? ([25:27])
The sermon said, “Faith is not about having everything figured out or possessing a perfect track record. It’s about coming to God with what little we have, even if it’s just a crumb of faith, and refusing to let go.” What is one area in your life where you feel like you only have a “crumb” of faith? How can you bring that to God this week? ([22:23])
When God seems silent or the answer is delayed, what practical steps can you take to keep persevering in faith and prayer? ([09:38])
The preacher shared stories of people in the Bible (like Daniel, the three Hebrew boys, and Noah) who trusted God in their darkest moments. Is there a story from Scripture or your own life that encourages you to keep believing for a miracle? ([03:33])
The sermon challenged us to share what God has done for us, like the lepers who went back to tell others about the abundance they found. Who in your life needs to hear about God’s faithfulness, and how can you share your story with them this week? ([16:47])
The woman’s faith led her to worship even before she saw her answer. How can you make worship a part of your response while you wait for God to move in your situation? ([33:52])
Every setback is an opportunity to push back in faith. What is one setback you are facing right now, and what is one specific way you can “push back” in faith this week? ([36:40])

Sermon Clips

Her faith moved her. Faith picks you up and moves you. I thank God that we can have faith. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. That's why the Bible is so important because there's so many stories in there that teach us about faith. They're not just stories that are just nice but they are actual stories to build faith in their hearts. [00:06:06] (28 seconds)

Faith, faith, faith. Just a little bit of faith. You don't need a whole lot. Just use what you've got. So faith will lift you up. Faith will set you in a place where God will do a miracle before your eyes. [00:07:00] (19 seconds)

Silence doesn't mean no. Silence doesn't mean no. Silence is seeing what you're going to do in between your crying out and that silence. How are you going to live? How are you going to act? How are you going to cry out? How are you going to believe? Are you going to crumble somewhere in the corner and say, God, it doesn't seem like anything's going to work. Or is somebody going to cry out to God? And in the midst of silence, keep on moving forward. [00:09:46] (32 seconds)

Like one preacher said one time, your consecration doesn't move God. Faith moves God. There are some people, he said, that are more consecrated than I am and they make me look terrible. But I'm telling you this. Faith moves the hand of God. [00:11:50] (16 seconds)

``If God has placed this much responsibility in a crumb and made it available to an unworthy Gentile. Think about it. She knew she. She wasn't worthy but yet she persisted and cried out. How much more will he make available his power to those he considers his children who have not only faith but a privilege to sit at his table. [00:23:40] (29 seconds)

Great faith is persevering faith. When it looks like everything is done and lost and nothing's going to take place and happen, persevering faith. I'm telling you, I'm telling you. Miracles, signs, and wonders, that's what God does. Miracles, signs, and wonders. The day we stop believing in miracles, signs, and wonders is the day we die. No, no, no, no. No, we've got to keep believing miracles, signs, and wonders. [00:26:09] (55 seconds)

Great faith is persevering faith that is resolved to gain an answer even though there is no answer given at that time. Don't ever give up brand maybe the difference between great faith and unbelief is one crummy prayer. [00:29:20] (22 seconds)

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