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When God Says “No”
Do you ever wonder if God answered your prayer? Sometimes we pray for things and nothing happens right away, or the trouble goes away for a little bit, but then comes right back. As Christians we can still find peace and joy, even when our prayers are answered with a "no." Let's join Pastor Moldstad to learn more.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Have you ever prayed for something that you really wanted? Whether it was to be healed from a sickness or maybe financial concerns to be relieved or a conflict that you had in a personal relationship for there to be peace? Maybe your prayer was answered, or so you thought, but then the conflict or the trouble happened again. Then you really wondered did God answer my prayer?
In second Corinthians we hear about the Apostle Paul who tells us that he had a thorn in his flesh. We aren’t told exactly what this was, it appears it was some physical condition, whether a reoccurring disease or maybe a problem with his speech. We don’t know, but we do hear that Paul prayed many times, three times in fact, he prayed that God would take this thorn in the flesh away from him. You know what God’s answer was?
It was a big bold NO.
In fact God told Paul
“My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
My grace is sufficient for you. It seems very difficult for us to accept that as a response to our prayer. Especially when we’re struggling so hard. How could we possibly have the faith of Paul who accepted that answer from God in his own life and in fact rejoiced in his trouble and affliction that the Lord continued to allow him to have? Yet we can, because God’s grace is enough for us.
It is enough for us to know that God has paid for all of our sins. He has done everything necessary for us to be right with him, to know where we are going when die. Sometimes God does choose to answer our prayers with a “No.” Oh may we learn to trust his word, to believe what he says that His grace is sufficient for us. Amen.
