Bible Text: Hebrews 11:1, Matthews 8:10, Mark 10:52, Matthew 15:27, Genesis 10:6 | Clergy: Dr. Edith Winters Kimbrough | Someone once said, “There are two kinds of faith. One says  – if all goes well, if life is hopeful, prosperous and happy, then I will trust in God; the other says – though- though the forces of evil triumph, through everything goes wrong, and Gethsemane comes and the cross looms, nevertheless, I will trust in God.” Now that’s great faith! This is the kind of faith Hebrews 11:1 tells us about. It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.

We all can act for God when everything is going our way. But when opposition arises and suffering looms before us, only the brave in spirit can act.

Three times in the Bible, Christ commended “great faith,” and in each case it was outside the fold of Israel. Remember, the Roman officer in Matthews 8:10 who said to Jesus, “I do not deserve to have you come into my house – just give the order from this distance and my servant will get well.” Jesus said,” I tell you, I have never found anyone in Israel with faith like this!”

Remember, blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:52 who said to Jesus, “Teacher, I want to see again.” Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well.”

And to the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:27 who said, “… even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their masters’ table.” Jesus answered – “You are a woman of great faith!”

These persons had great faith because it stood trial. It was a confident faith. it was great because it adhered and it anticipated.

As African Americans, celebrating Black history month – we can especially identify with the woman of Canaan. According to Genesis 10:6, the Canaanites were descendants of Canaan, one of the sons of Ham, who was a black man. We might therefore, say that this woman was a Hamitic woman – a woman of color. She says to us – “I have suffered unbearable tribulation, because of the affliction of my daughter. The Jews consider me a nobody. Human misery is all around.” And as African Americans, we too can say also, that human misery is all around us, too. Many disturbing conditions affect our daily lives. Violence, misfortune, hate groups, inequalities and injustices are all a part of our human scene. As Langston Hughes says – “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair – It had tacks in it and splinters – and boards torn up – and places with no carpet on the floor – bare.” So the Canaanite woman’s cry for mercy strikes a note of sympathy in all of us.

We often feel like the song writer who says: “So many times I look up and wonder why – so many good fortunes pass me by – but then I say to my soul take courage – The Lord will make a way somehow.” So, whenever we ask  God why – let us look up and know that there is daybreak beyond our present darkness; there is joy beyond our present trial. For David tells us that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

So, my Sisters and Brothers, let us as African Americans have faith in God. Let us continue to trust in God. Let us continue to see Jesus as the woman of Canaan did. Nobody can help us as Jesus can. We must not let him go. If he seems to be afar, follow him; if he seems to be stern, prevail with him; if he seems to hide his face, cry louder. Let us be persistent when we plead for mercy. Let us believe that we, too shall have the victory. The woman of Canaan won the victory and so can we. And Jesus will say to us just as he did to her: “You are people of great faith – and what you want will be done for you.”