当神向保罗说「不」
哥林多后书十二章7至10节
7又恐怕我因所得的启示甚大，就过于自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉体上，就是撒但的差役要攻击我，免得我过于自高。
8为这事，我三次求过主，叫这刺离开我。
9他对我说：我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。所以，我更喜欢夸自己的软弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。
10我为基督的缘故，就以软弱、凌辱、急难、逼迫、困苦为可喜乐的；因我甚么时候软弱，甚么时候就刚强了。
信息分享
他恳切向神祈求。他再三祷告神说：「主啊，这根刺会妨碍我服事你，求你赶快替我除去它。」
他全心全意地祷告，没有一点儿疑惑，深信神就像以往一样，必会迅速应允他。然而，这一次，却毫无动静，他的痛楚依旧。
于是他再次祷告。他这次祷告，会否带有疑惑呢？但他依然得不到回应。他唯有再三祷告，神终于回应了，虽然并非如他所愿的答应，但神最终回应了保罗的祷告。
神怎样说呢？祂说：「我的恩典够你用的。」这句话是属于现在时态，表示「我的恩典每时每刻都够你用」。换言之，不管他如何痛苦，神的恩典都必会将足够的力量、忍耐和坚毅精神赐给他，让他能够胜过任何处境。
神的下半句回应，更是发人深省。祂说：「我的能力在人的软弱上显得完全。」你愈是软弱，便愈能经历到神的恩典和能力，也愈能向他人见证神的恩典和能力。
英文的《活的圣经》译本，将这句意译为：「我的能力最能在软弱的人身上显明。」
保罗接纳了神的回应，因为他渴望神的旨意成就，远超过其他一切。这种心志，最终驱使他愿意为神殉道；但在那一刻，保罗便证明神的恩典确实够他用，并显得完全。我们今天同样可以经历这完全的恩典。
记着：神的旨意不会带领你到祂的恩典不能保护你的地方。
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.'