Paul pleaded with the Lord three times (2 Cor 12.8) for the removal of
a painful reality in his life: a
messenger of Satan sent to beat him (12.7).
Paul knew he could not handle this battle without the Lord. When Heaven seemed silent, Paul asked again. Still no answer …Paul pleaded yet a third
time. Did Paul receive an answer? Yes, Jesus Himself said to Paul, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (12.9). Sometimes the answer to prayer doesn’t mean
the eradication of trouble and testing in life.
Jesus Himself offered up prayer with vehement cries and tears to God the
Father who was certainly able to save Him from death. Jesus was heard and because He desired the
will of God rather than the passing of His greatest trial, He became the author
of our eternal salvation (Heb
5.7-9). You don’t
necessarily need the removal of painful things; you need the grace to go
through them.
