2 Corinthians 12:8-9
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.
A story is told of a very poor man who lived in ancient times that had only one horse and one son. As the son grew older, he used the horse to plow the fields, to haul the produce to market, and ride from place to place on various errands. People showed no pity and often made disparaging remarks about his poverty.
Things went from bad to worse for the poor man when his son was thrown off the horse to the ground and broke his leg. The people clucked their tongues and wondered what evil thing this poor man had done to have such bad fortune to befall him. But he would just smile and reply, “The Lord knows what I need. I will still trust Him.”
Soon after the son’s accident, the king sent messengers to each village and demanded that every able-bodied young man report for battle immediately. The only one in this age group who was not conscripted was the poor man’s injured son. Later on, the sad news reached the village of a terrible defeat for the king’s army. Now the man who had once been pitied was considered to be the one who was blessed.
Romans 8:28 is true in any and every circumstance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
As a child of God He may delay the answer to our prayer, or He may deny it as He did with Paul. Whatever the Lord determines for our lives, His grace is sufficient.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil