There will be times in a believer’s life when God answers our heartfelt prayers with the answer “no!” Even the most ardent and productive saints hear God reject their prayers. In this lesson, we will try to understand God’s perspective on His purpose behind His rejections.
(2 Corinthians 12:5-9)1NIV New International Version Translations – “I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
In this passage, the Apostle Paul speaks about a “thorn in his flesh,” which he describes as a messenger of Satan sent to torment him. Paul explains that he pleaded with the Lord three times to take this thorn away, but God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Yes, God rejects the prayers of one of His most ardent supporters. All Paul hears is “No.” Paul’s experience highlights that God’s strength is made perfect in human weakness. Instead of removing “the thorn,” God gave Paul the grace to endure it. The Apostle Paul’s response was to boast about his weaknesses, as they allowed Christ’s power to rest on him.
The grace of God is a central concept in Christianity, often understood as God’s unmerited favor and love towards humanity. It is the divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification. In the context of 2 Corinthians 12:5-9, God’s grace is described as “sufficient” for Paul, meaning that despite his weaknesses and the “thorn in his flesh,” God’s grace gave him the strength to endure and continue his ministry. Paul did not earn this grace; it was a gift from his God. Through grace, believers are saved, sustained, and empowered to live according to God’s will. The example with Paul emphasizes reliance on God’s strength rather than one’s abilities.
However, it is essential to understand that “God’s Grace” is not a call to give up hope. In fact, without grace, we would have no mercy either. Grace is about receiving blessings and favors that we do not deserve. The other side of the coin, so to speak, is God’s mercy. Mercy is about being spared from the punishment that we do deserve. Both grace and mercy express God’s love and compassion towards each one of us. We will examine a familiar Bible story and explore how God’s grace and mercy work together as part of His will.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son: In Luke 15:11-32, the younger son asks his father for his share of the inheritance and then squanders it in reckless living. When he finds himself in dire circumstances, he returns home, repentant and hoping to be accepted as a servant. Upon his return, the father, representing God, shows extraordinary mercy by welcoming him back with open arms, celebrating his return, and restoring him to his position as a beloved son. This compassion (mercy) is also an example of God’s grace, as the father provides the son with unmerited favor and love, despite his past mistakes. The father’s response highlights God’s willingness to forgive and embrace those who repent, demonstrating mercy and grace.
The prodigal son’s brother struggled to accept the father’s grace and mercy toward his younger brother. In the parable (Luke 15:25-32), the elder son becomes angry and resentful when he learns that his father has welcomed his younger brother back with open arms, even hosting a grand celebration in his honor. The elder son feels this is unfair, as he has been loyal and obedient to his father for years without receiving such recognition or celebration. He doesn’t comprehend the depth of the father’s love and forgiveness—a love that rejoices over the return of the lost rather than dwelling on past mistakes. The father reassures the elder son, explaining that the younger son’s return is cause for great joy because he was “lost and is found.” The elder’s son, who counted obedience and service, did so. Ultimately, he received the rest of his father’s earthly inheritance.
This reaction of the elder son highlights themes of jealousy, self-righteousness, and the difficulty of embracing grace, especially when one feels entitled to rewards based on their own merits. It serves as a reminder that God’s grace is not earned but freely given to all, regardless of past actions. The parable teaches us:
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The father’s willingness to forgive his son and welcome him back with open arms is a powerful example of forgiveness and reconciliation. In modern life, this teaches us the importance of forgiving others and seeking reconciliation in our relationships, even when we have been wronged.
- Unconditional Love: Despite his mistakes, the father’s unconditional love for his son mirrors the kind of love that we should strive to show others. This can be applied in our relationships with family, friends, and even strangers, emphasizing the importance of loving others without conditions or expectations.
- Repentance and Humility: The younger son’s decision to return home and admit his mistakes demonstrates the value of repentance and humility. In today’s world, acknowledging our faults and seeking to make amends can lead to personal growth and stronger relationships.
- Grace and Mercy: The father’s actions also illustrate the concepts of grace and mercy. He not only forgives his son but also restores him to his position in the family. This teaches us the importance of showing grace and mercy to others, even when they may not deserve it.
- Hope and Redemption: The story of the prodigal son provides hope by reminding us that God’s perspective often differs from our own sense of fairness. Our trust in God should not rely on our own righteousness but instead on His history of generosity. This message can be a source of encouragement for anyone who feels lost or weighed down by past mistakes or challenging circumstances.
When we hear God’s “No,” it always comes with a lesson in humility and reliance on God’s grace, rather than on our strength. God is calling us to accept and embrace our weaknesses, as they can be opportunities for God’s power to be demonstrated in our lives. Paul’s experience highlights that God’s strength is perfect in human weakness. Instead of removing the thorn, God gave Paul the grace to endure it. This taught Paul to boast about his weaknesses, as they allowed Christ’s power to rest on him.
(Isaiah 55:8-9) – “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’.”
Contemplations
- Why might God say no to a prayer or request?
- Ideas to Explore: Consider that God’s refusal could guide individuals down a different path or teach them a valuable lesson.
- How can a person find meaning or purpose when God says no?
- Ideas to Explore: Consider how a denial from God might encourage personal growth, resilience, and a deeper understanding of one’s faith.
- What are some examples in religious texts where God says no, and what can we learn from them?
- Ideas to Explore: In the Book of Jonah, God shows mercy to the city of Nineveh. Despite their wickedness, God sends Jonah to warn them of impending judgment. When the people of Nineveh repent, God shows mercy and spares the city from destruction. In John 8:1-11, a woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus. The accusers want to stone her according to the law, but Jesus shows mercy by saying, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Her accusers leave, and Jesus tells her to go and sin no more. In 2 Samuel 11-12, King David commits adultery with Bathsheba and arranges the death of her husband, Uriah. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David repents, and God shows mercy by forgiving him, although his actions still have consequences.
- How can a community support each other when facing a collective ‘no’ from God?
- Ideas to Explore: Communal support and shared faith can help individuals cope with disappointment and find strength in unity (How?).
- 1NIV New International Version Translations