II Corinthians 12:7-10

Paul asked for a miraculous deliverance and God said, "No." Now Paul had faith, he was living right, he understood the request. There was no presumptuousness in his asking. But it was not God's will! Because from God's perspective there were overriding reasons not to grant the request. It was not needed to witness to the truth. Paul's development, salvation, and humble reliance on Christ, because of his infirmity, were exceedingly more important.

Will God grant a miraculous healing to Paul? Yes, He will. But it will come in the resurrection. And that will be far more miraculous than just taking the thorn out of his flesh temporarily until he died.

The working of God's power to perform a miracle ultimately depends upon God's sovereignty. He invites us to pray, to believe in Him, to trust Him for His decision. And then the method of response must be left in His hands. When we do this, brethren, we are learning to live under His government.

II Corinthians 12:7-10

God mercifully allowed Paul a problem to keep him ever mindful of his dependence. The truly humble are knowledgeable of their dependence and they cry out to God continually for help. Let us get this straight. Theirs is not just a feeling of weakness, because everybody experiences weakness—the converted and the unconverted. The people with pride experience a feeling of weakness too, and they compensate by flaunting what they think that others will accept and bring praise to them. It is a true recognition of their need for what God only can supply: His Holy Spirit, His love, His faith, the forgiveness of sin, we could go on and on. As long as a man continues to depend on himself, this world will continue as it is. Nothing will change. It is said in the beginning in Genesis 3 so simply: Adam and Eve told God, "We don't need you," without actually saying the words.

II Corinthians 12:7-8

Paul tells us that he was given a thorn in the flesh so that he would not think more highly of himself than he ought, and he prayed three times asking God to take the burden away, but the reply he received was this,