March 29, 2019 – Click here to listen
I love to receive feedback from WFTD and the one about prayers being answered seemed to stimulate some thought and several people responded. I received this excellent commentary from a reader that addresses the subject of not always getting what we ask for. God’s ways are mysterious and impossible for us to understand, but this commentary is terrific. It starts with some Bible quotes from Paul, and then excellent explanations that went along with my commentary.
1 Cor. 12:7-10
. . . just because of the excess of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not feel overly exalted, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan, to keep slapping me, that I might not be overly exalted. In this behalf I three times entreated the Lord that it might depart from me; and yet he really said to me: My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you; for [my] power is being made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast as respects my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may like a tent remain over me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in cases of need, in persecutions and difficulties, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.
To further emphasize your point, Paul was given a thorn in the flesh which he repeatedly prayed to God to remove. The Bible does not say what it was, but looking at other scriptures, we surmise Paul had an eye problem, perhaps poor eyesight. God could have miraculously removed this affliction from him. However, his answer to Paul was my undeserved kindness is sufficient for you. God always answers our prayers. Sometimes we have to pray repeatedly. Sometimes, as in the case of Paul, the answer in no. He has his own reasons for this, and undoubtedly is for our benefit. In Paul’s case, as he stated, his weakness made him powerful, as he had to rely on Christ even more so.
Two things to keep in mind then, when praying, is: 1. Pray Incessantly (1 Thes. 5:17) and 2. Sometimes the answer to our prayer is not the answer we want, but that doesn’t mean our prayer hasn’t been answered.
Thanks for responding, it encourages me, and I grow from it.
1 Thess. 5:16
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!