Bible Study October 20,2023
Hebrews 4;16 (Phillips)
“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with fullest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need.”
There are people who believe God does not answer their prayers. Mainly because they did not get what they prayed for. God does answer our prayers in one of three ways: He says “Yes”, He says “No” or in many cases He says “Wait.”
When people say that God answered their prayers they usually mean they got what they ask for concerning themselves or another person. Be assured God always answers our prayers in one of the three ways mentioned above. With that said He knows our needs better than we do.
Paul is a great and often used example of praying for something when he asked God to “remove the thorn in his flesh.” We do not know what it was but most likely some painful issue continued to bother him. We see in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 that the answer was “no.” here are Paul’s words: “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. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 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. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Why didn’t He give Paul what he prayed for? It was probably because He had something better for him. Could it have been a path that provided him with a deeper relationship with God? In fact, it could have been for several reasons.
Jesus likewise prayed that the “cup” would be passed from Him as He awaited His death on the cross. God’s answer to Jesus was “no” because that was the plan of salvation for you and me.
God knows what is best for us it is His will.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 