In verse 8: we read that Paul says, “Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.” It is so important to our spiritual well-being that we accept the fact that not all answers to our prayers for ourselves and others will be yes. The Lord’s desire is that He be the Strength through which we live and overcome. We are so thrilled when the Lord answers our prayers, yet so many of us have witnessed a definite closed door to some of our most fervent requests.
There are many other examples in the Bible, such as this one above, of the Lord’s firm decision to say no. In Jeremiah 15: 1a: it says, “Then the Lord said to me, “Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My Heart would not be with this people…” Imagine, not even Moses or the Prophet Samuel would change God’s mind about what He had decreed.
It is imperative that we seek the Lord first and foremost for His wisdom in all matters, so that we may pray according to His Will. We can see clearly that the Lord always reserves the Right to answer petitions according to His Wisdom, because He sees things from a Heavenly perspective.
In Psalm 115: 3: we read, “But God is in Heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” What Grace Job demonstrates, after the loss of everything, as he says in Job 1: 21b: “The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the Name of the Lord.” Psalm 92: 15: says, (The righteous will declare) “To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You so much for the infinite understanding You have in all the minutest details that pertain to every area of our lives. Thank You that You are committed to continually accomplish what concerns us, even though it may not seem as clear to us at the time of closed doors, or unanswered prayers. May You be greatly Glorified in all that You do in utmost faithfulness, wisdom and righteousness. Glory to You alone!
