I think the main statement to be found in today’s study, is: “Three times Paul asked God to deliver him, but each time the answer was ‘No’ (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). It’s not easy when God says ‘No’ to a persistent prayer for deliverance, but His ‘Nos’ always follow a wise and benevolent purpose.”
Likewise, Job in his story of suffering, pleaded with God to provide him with an answer – to the question, which at some time or other, all of us ask – ‘Why – is this happening to me?‘ Job did not receive a direct answer to his question – and, most of the time, neither will we - receive an answer.
It’s comes down to trust in God’s goodness – that whenever bad things happen to us – God will turn those events into something good and the experience will often strengthen our faith. The ‘sharp’ messenger sent by Satan to torment Paul was turned into a humbling experience which strengthened his dependence on God – and, to what extent that helped Paul to focus his ministry – we, can only guess!
What are your views?
When God says ‘No’
I think the main statement to be found in today’s study, is: “Three times Paul asked God to deliver him, but each time the answer was ‘No’ (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). It’s not easy when God says ‘No’ to a persistent prayer for deliverance, but His ‘Nos’ always follow a wise and benevolent purpose.”
Likewise, Job in his story of suffering, pleaded with God to provide him with an answer – to the question, which at some time or other, all of us ask – ‘Why – is this happening to me?‘ Job did not receive a direct answer to his question – and, most of the time, neither will we - receive an answer.
It’s comes down to trust in God’s goodness – that whenever bad things happen to us – God will turn those events into something good and the experience will often strengthen our faith. The ‘sharp’ messenger sent by Satan to torment Paul was turned into a humbling experience which strengthened his dependence on God – and, to what extent that helped Paul to focus his ministry – we, can only guess!
What are your views?