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Happy Tuesday, {{first_name| everyone}}!
What do we do when God does not answer our prayers in the way or timeline that we want him to? Being in a season of waiting as I’m writing this, I’m faced with something Paul understood all too well.
That’s what we’ll dig into today.
If you missed yesterday’s email, you can read it here.
In today’s email…
🎄 For the daughter, friend or wife in your life
🤕 What Paul called the “thorn” in his flesh
😩 A question about the thing you have asked God three times to take away
📊 Trivia to test your knowledge on our memory verse…
MEMORIZE 🧠
But he said to me, “My _____ is __________ for you, for my _____ is made _______ in ________.”
Therefore I will _____ all the more gladly of my __________, so that the power of ______ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Want to memorize in your favorite translation? Try our new iPhone app here.
CONTEXT 📕
There’s a little detail hidden away in the verses leading up to 2 Corinthians 12:9.
As part of his reasoning for greatness found in God alone, Paul shares a personal testimony about unanswered prayer in passing.
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.”
We don’t know exactly what this “thorn” was - some Bible scholars agree that it was probably a physical infirmity since Paul says “in the flesh.”
So perhaps a limp, eye trouble, or a disease?
While the exact thing that caused Paul’s thorn is a mystery, his response to it isn’t. Paul is not complacent about the daily discomfort he is facing.
He pleads with God to take it away.
Not once, not twice, but three times!
I recently realized something astounding about the book of Nehemiah for the first time. Before Nehemiah built the walls, he wept.
As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night…”
And it hit me how often I think being “Christian” means I have to suppress my emotions.
But Nehemiah wept before jumping into action. And Paul brought his “thorn” to God in prayer. He asked. He petitioned. He pleaded.
Over and over.
When we honestly bring our pain and weakness before God, we are reminded that his power is not diminished by our limitations.
Rather, in our weakness, Christ’s sufficient grace sustains us, and his power is displayed more clearly.
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.
APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃♂
📖 Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 to find the following about Paul’s thorn:
Why the thorn / weakness was given to Paul
How Paul asked God to remove it and how often
What he did when God did not answer his prayer the way he wanted
👂️ Reflect:
What is something you have asked God to do 3 or more times?
🙏 Pray
Father, I don’t always understand why some of my prayers seem to go unanswered, or why sometimes the answer is “No” or “Not yet.” It’s difficult and confusing and some days are very hard. Yet not my will but yours be done. Please teach me greater trust and dependence on you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
TRIVIA 📊
Click one of the options below to choose your answer. Let’s see how you do…
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul insists he will not be a financial burden to the Corinthians when he visits. What comparison does he use to explain why?
ANSWER KEY ✅
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 12:9
We hope you bring your “thorn” before God again and again in prayer this week, and that he meets you in your honest conversation with him.
Blessings,
The Malachi Daily team 🙏
Today’s Contributors
Eljoh is a South African writer, editor, and artist with a Master’s in Practical Theology. She creates resources to help believers of all ages abide in Christ and grow in faith. Explore more free resources and creative tools at Vine Creative Studio.
Kieran is a husband and father living in NJ. In addition to Malachi Daily, he writes a personal newsletter about the intersection of faith, fatherhood and entrepreneurship.
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