當神向保羅說「不」
哥林多後書十二章7至10節
7又恐怕我因所得的啟示甚大，就過於自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉體上，就是撒但的差役要攻擊我，免得我過於自高。
8為這事，我三次求過主，叫這刺離開我。
9他對我說：我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。所以，我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。
10我為基督的緣故，就以軟弱、凌辱、急難、逼迫、困苦為可喜樂的；因我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強了。
信息分享
他懇切向神祈求。他再三禱告神說：「主啊，這根刺會妨礙我服事你，求你趕快替我除去它。」
他全心全意地禱告，沒有一點兒疑惑，深信神就像以往一樣，必會迅速應允他。然而，這一次，卻毫無動靜，他的痛楚依舊。
於是他再次禱告。他這次禱告，會否帶有疑惑呢？但他依然得不到回應。他唯有再三禱告，神終於回應了，雖然並非如他所願的答應，但神最終回應了保羅的禱告。
神怎樣說呢？祂說：「我的恩典夠你用的。」這句話是屬於現在時態，表示「我的恩典每時每刻都夠你用」。換言之，不管他如何痛苦，神的恩典都必會將足夠的力量、忍耐和堅毅精神賜給他，讓他能夠勝過任何處境。
神的下半句回應，更是發人深省。祂說：「我的能力在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」你愈是軟弱，便愈能經歷到神的恩典和能力，也愈能向他人見證神的恩典和能力。
英文的《活的聖經》譯本，將這句意譯為：「我的能力最能在軟弱的人身上顯明。」
保羅接納了神的回應，因為他渴望神的旨意成就，遠超過其他一切。這種心志，最終驅使他願意為神殉道；但在那一刻，保羅便證明神的恩典確實夠他用，並顯得完全。我們今天同樣可以經歷這完全的恩典。
記著：神的旨意不會帶領你到祂的恩典不能保護你的地方。
WHEN GOD SAID 'NO' TO PAUL
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Message
He prayed intensely. He pleaded with God. What did he say? 'Lord this thorn is hindering my work for you. I ask you to remove it, and to do it now.'
No doubt the first time he prayed, he expected immediate relief. God had always answered promptly before. But nothing happened. The pain was still there.
He prayed again. Was he puzzled this time as he prayed? There was still no answer. Then ha prayed third time, and finally he got an answer. However it was not the one he expected, certainly not the one he wanted. But it was God's answer to Paul's prayer.
What did God say? 'My grace is sufficient for you.' It is a statement in the present tense. 'My grace will continue, day after day, moment after moment, to be exactly what you need.' In other words, there is enough strength, enough patience, enough endurance in the grace God can give to help us through any situation, no matter how painful it is.
The remainder of God's answer is also remarkable. 'My power (our word dynamite) is made perfect in weakness.' (Our word neurasthenia - extreme nervous debility). The weaker you are, the more perfectly will God's grace and power be experienced and be displayed for others to see.
The Living Bible paraphrase reads, 'My power shows up best in weak people.'
Paul accepted God's answer. Above everything else, Paul wanted God's will most of all. That will finally allow him to die as a martyr but Paul proved God's grace even then. It can do the same today for us.
REMEMBER: 'The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.'