Wherefore also, lest I should be lifted up by the transcendence of the revelations, there was given to me a splinter in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he may be buffeting me, lest I be lifted up. For this I entreat the Lord thrice, that it should withdraw from me. Also He has protested to me, "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected." With the greatest relish, then, will I rather be glorifying in my infirmities, that the power of Christ should be tabernacling over me. Wherefore I delight in infirmities, in outrages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress, for Christs sake, for, whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful.
Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12: 7-10, Concordant New Testament
I grew up knowing a God who would provide for all of my needs. Do a Google search for bible verses on unanswered prayers and you will find something interesting. That being an entire list of scriptures on just the opposite, of the Lords promises for provision. But what of those times when the Lords provision does not materialize? In my younger days, I came to see the scriptures of James, the Lords brother, as an indication of why it is that God does not respond to our prayer requests. James speaks to our requests not being honored as they seek to satisfy "Your own gratifications" {James to the Twelve Tribes 4:3}. That is, the reason that God does not answer our prayer requests is because we ask for things we desire and not things that we truly need. While this may be true, it certainly shaped my prayer life growing up. I learned early on to ask only for needs and not wants. Then came the "Name it and claim it" phase that Christian churches went through a decade or so ago. Suddenly it was ok to ask the God for wealth and provision. I mean, why wouldn't God want His children to flourish? I believe that the words of Jesus speak to this very idea in the book of Matthew. It is Jesus who proclaims that "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also" {Matthews Account 6:21}. So, if our focus is on monetary gain and possessions, then that is where our hearts will be focused. Do we desire a heart focused on the wealth of this world, or on God? Of course, that choice is up to us. Now, our prayers need not be for wealth or prestige, but for something we truly feel that we need. Enter the apostle Paul, who found himself with a splinter in his flesh. Of course, Paul trusted that his request for relief from this "Messenger from Satan" would come from the Lord. Thus, Paul "Entreated the Lord thrice, that it should withdraw from me"{Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12:8}. What was Gods response to Paul? "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected" {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12:9}. God did not deliver Paul from that thorn in his flesh, but reminded Him that His power is perfected in our weakest moments.
Now apart from faith it is impossible to be well pleasing, for he who is coming to God must believe that He is, and is becoming a Rewarder of those who are seeking Him out.
To the Hebrews 11:6, Concordant New Testament
As I mentioned, there are plenty of verses in scripture of how the Lord will honor our prayers. There are even verses which tell us that He hears what it is we seek from Him. We know that God listened to Paul when he asked Him for relief from that which was ailing him. We also know that instead of bringing relief to Paul, that the Father reminded him of what was more important in his situation. That being the power and grace of the Lord. Paul, in his distress, did what people for thousands of years have done, he addressed the Lord for relief in his weakest moment. I think that the underlying message we can find in Paul's situation is that our weakest moments also belong to God. Paul was well aware that he lived his life in union with the Father and Son {Johns Account 14:20}. It is Paul who proclaims to us the spirit of Christ dwelling within us {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}. He understood that Christ was the center of his life {Paul to the Philippians 1:21}. Therefore, when God revealed to him that He was in Paul's infirmity with him, Paul understood all too well. Like Paul, we can find joy in our darkest moments knowing that we do not face them alone. There will come times where we may feel that the Lord has forgotten us when our requests go unanswered, but knowing the truth of our union in the Father assures us that we are never alone in Him.
~Scott~
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