INTERCESSION OVER THE OUTCAST

Matt 15:23-28 NLT

But Jesus gave her no reply - not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. "Tell her to leave," they said. "She is bothering us with all her begging." Then he said to the woman, "I was sent only to help the people of Israel - God's lost sheep - not the Gentiles." But she came and worshipped him and pleaded again, "Lord, help me!" "It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs," he said. "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even dogs are permitted to eat crumbs that fall beneath their master's table." "Woman," Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed.

TEARS 2/13/05

I have always run from naggers and pursuers, and wanting to climb into my shell until the barrage has passed. Today after re-reading "It's a Dog's World" at my website, and identifying with the nagging unclean women who is a passionate intercessor for her child, I suddenly saw the shame I have felt in being a nagging one sent to knock on closed doors.

I remembered my time of feeling like an outcast and unclean because I was told I loved too much and crossed invisible boundaries of protocol. I remembered my years in church when I was sent to the leaders with loud knocks upon their hardened hearts. I remembered the shame I felt and still feel as I sit among an audience of strangers feeling like an outcast and not among them. I remembered the times I was sent to knock on the doors of anointed servants, with Words of encouragement only to receive silence in return. I wondered if they thought I had touched their holy place with presumption for my approach into their world. I felt the pain of these things and one tiny, silent tear fell onto my cheek. Knowing the Lord as I do, I thought if I could feel so unclean as an outcast, how much greater is the shame of others outside His intimacy. I cried for them and I cried for me. I cried for the years and years of feeling filthy and unclean when all You have wanted for us Lord, is to be loved.

============

CONCLUSION

============

PRAYER TO PONDER: HOLD THE OUTCAST

Abba heal our broken places. We limp around the truth and bravely continue as though nothing is wrong. We swallow the pain and continue moving. It is all we know to do. Please wash away the filth from the outcast and hold them in Your royal arms. Extend Your scepter to them and dub Your favor down upon their heads and shoulders and hands. Give them courage to reach out and receive the extension of Your favor upon their lives. Let them not hold back in shame, but let them hold their heads up even as Esther did. You chose this poor orphaned girl to become queen of the most powerful empire of the world in her time. She had the seeds of courage in her heart, because she was raised with the favor of Mordecai's love.

Abba. let Your love so surround the intercessors, those who would place their very lives on the line, that they no longer be touched with the shame of feeling unclean. Let the rich spices of Your anointing oil soak past the layers of their leathered mind-sets. Let them no longer think they are outcast, on the outside looking in. Whether a human door opens or not, let Your love so deeply mesh into their beings that they live in and know nothing but Your favor. Abba, heal our broken places that limp and wash us clean. In Jesus Name.

Est 4:11 NLT

"The whole world knows that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him in more than a month."

Est 5:2 NKJV

So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.

Est 8:4-5 NKJV

And the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king.

Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV

For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD, 'Because they called you an outcast saying: "This is Zion; No one seeks her." '