So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
As we read the passage we see that despite Paul’s insistent prayers, God said “No” to his supplications for relief. How often have we prayed, seeking what we felt was an unanswered need ? How many homes, job promotions, passing grades, successful medical procedures? How many ‘yeses’ have we diligently sought, only to be denied? How does God’s answer ‘no’ impact our view of life?
For many, the collapse of a need, want, or dream spells an immediate darkening in our moods and our lives. The sunshine of hope then turns into a storm cloud of despondency. We just need to know that despite our dreams and plans, God has a better answer. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” - Proverbs 19:21
Many of us experience great emotional loss through what we feel are the untimely deaths of those whom we love. ‘How could God do such a thing to me?’ Those who object strongest to such a seemingly untimely event see God only as a sugar bowl whose prime directive in our lives should be to sweeten them. So soon we forget the words of Job. “But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” - Job 2:10.
Many an ostensibly reverent man and woman have succumbed to the human grief that most often accompanies great physical or emotional loss. But nowhere in the Bible will we see a God who divinely promises to feather our beds in this lifetime. He has never once assured us that our every wish will be His command. In fact, Jesus tells us what our lives will be like if we follow Him. “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” - Matthew 16:24. Even the greatest saints have experienced tribulation in their lives.
My dear sister passed from this world when she was only 51 years old. She was a good woman and prayed to Jesus Christ every day of her life. Yet the cancer came and brought death with it. There was no instant heavenly cure. There was only sickness and death. God said ‘No’ to my prayers. And while she may have experienced her trauma as a result of her actions we cannot know for certain that this was the case. People who’ve never smoked get cancer and die from it. Sometimes, no matter the intensity or the need or desire behind the prayer . . . God just says ‘No.’
So why do some basically decent and good human beings suffer by the will of God? Jesus answers this question best. “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” - Luke 13:4-5.
Jesus was simply stating that just because a person suffers egregious loss or a prayer is not answered in the affirmative, that still doesn’t mean God wishes evil upon us. And how often in our lives have we been blessed by God? Can we even count them?
Sometimes God uses our tribulations to make us stronger. No matter how many problems we face, God remains a force with us if we remain faithful. Sometimes His answer is ‘yes,’ sometimes it is ‘No.’ thou we cannot see them or understand them they are still for our own good. Even in our greatest tribulations, God works for the best. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28. We cannot know His reasons; we can only know His decision.
