Never Give Up Series

I think Paul has to be feeling that here. Is that your story? If so, it’s hard isn’t it? Yes, it is. So we turn to everything that we can, lots of p words and nothing changes. It is hard not to feel hopeless, it is hard not to conclude that overcoming this, whatever this may be is just not an option for me. Life in the gap between what we need and what God chooses to do often feels pretty hopeless for me and for you. But wait, the story is not over. Paul gets an answer to his prayer. Let’s keep reading.

9 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.

Anybody else disappointed if you are Paul in this moment besides me? Thanks God but that was not exactly the answer that I was looking for. I can’t speak for you, but it’s not for me. God I asked you to take it away, change it or fix this. Paul has spent a lot of time on this, three seasons of his life where he went after this with God hard, God please fix this, take this away, change my circumstances. We have all had these kind of seasons haven’t we? I don’t know if I can do this anymore God, I can’t take it, do something, times and seasons where we have prayed exactly what Paul is praying here. Paul doesn’t get what he asks for here, God doesn’t take it away. Check this out. God gives him a promise instead. So how does that feel? Are we okay with that? Really? Some of us are probably thinking at least he is getting an answer and that is more than I am getting. Despite that, my guess is that it doesn’t sit well with a lot us. Here’s why…

WE VALUE PERFORMANCE OVER PROMISES. Here’s the thing about promises, promises are great, but promises are not all that helpful or what we are looking for when we are in experiencing real pain, hurt or need in our lives and stories. When you are need or hurting and need help overcoming something in your life my promise to help you is really is not all that helpful. Yeah, thanks for nothing. It’s all about the performance, about me coming through on the promise. It’s the same way with God too. What do we really want most and expect most when we pray? Answer, correct this problem. We need to see this. We think close the gap between my life as it is and as I want it to be, God thinks fill it. I don’t need a promise God, what I really need is for you to do something in my life and story. God makes a lot of promises, promises that often seem empty as the challenges continue and our lives and stories don’t seem to change.

ILLUST> You ever struggle with this? Me too. God, I’m not asking for much. I’m simply asking to get back to the some sort of normal in my life. I’m not asking to win the lottery or for a fortune how about a job…any job? My family is struggling I need a job. I am not asking for a sports car or a luxury car I am just asking for basic transportation. I am not asking for the best marriage ever I’m just asking you to bring my spouse back… I’m just asking you to save my marriage. I’m not asking for perfect health or to be a picture of health but I have cancer…I’m dying God I am just asking you to let me live. I’m struggling God because I am looking around and you seem to be doing it for other people around me. You are saying yes. My friends in church, their prayers are being answered, their lives are getting better. And my neighbors, they don’t even really believe in you God, and they get the raise, the promotion, their disease goes away, their kids get into all the best schools. God I am just asking you please…begging…pleading…just help me. I need help. Take this away. I appreciate the promise to see me through it but I really much prefer you to get me out of this.