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THE SUCCESS OF FERVENT PRAYER
THERE is scarcely any thing in the Scriptures that more deserves our attention than the remarkable instances of answers to prayer. Throughout the whole Bible, if we see any one betake himself to prayer, we may know beforehand the issue of his conflicts: whatever be his difficulties, if only he go to God, saying, “I have no might in myself, but mine eyes are unto thee,” we may be well assured of his success: his petition invariably brings Omnipotence to his support; and he is made more than conqueror over all his adversaries. St. Paul relates a most encouraging instance respecting himself, wherein he found to his unspeakable comfort the efficacy of prayer. To illustrate it, we shall consider,
I. The trial with which he was so oppressed—
Highly favoured as the Apostle was, he was nevertheless bowed down with a heavy affliction—
[None, however honoured and beloved of God, can hope to escape trouble. “What the particular trial was, with which the Apostle was assaulted, it is impossible to say. The most reasonable conjecture seems to be, that it was something occasioned by his vision, perhaps some distortion of his features, or impediment in his speech, that rendered both his person and his speech contemptible; and of which the false teachers, those “messengers and ministers of Satan [Note: 2Co_11:14-15.],” took advantage, to undermine his influence in the Church of God [Note: Construe ἄ ã ã å ë ï ò Ó á ô ᾶ í with ἵ í á ì å ê ï ë á ö ß æ ῃ ; and compare 2Co_10:10. with Gal_4:13-14.]. This to the Apostle, whose heart was wholly bent upon glorifying God, and saving the souls of men, would be a heavy affliction, like “a thorn in the flesh,” festering and causing the acutest pain. But, whatever it was, Satan took occasion from it to distress the mind of the Apostle with a far keener anguish than his body could have sustained from the severest blows of men [ Note: ê ï õ ö ß æ ῃ .]. Nor need we regret that we are ignorant of the precise temptation with which St. Paul was harassed; since whatever our trials be, we may consider ourselves as in his situation, and obtain relief in the same way that he did.]
The reason for which that affliction was sent him, it is of great importance to observe—
[The Apostle was not yet perfect: and though he had been caught up into the third heavens, he was yet liable to sin: the seeds of pride were yet in his heart; and they would derive life and vigour even from those very mercies, which, to human appearance, should have had a tendency to destroy them. To counteract this evil of his heart, God sent him a heavy trial [Note: This is twice mentioned in ver. 7.]. And, if we were more attentive to the ends of God’s dispensations towards ourselves, we might always find some good reason for them within our own hearts. Pride is a hateful and accursed evil; and, if suffered to reign within us, will bring us “into the condemnation of the devil:” nor, however severe the remedy may be, should we be averse to endure it, if only it may be instrumental to the extirpating of this deeply-rooted propensity. In this case, though Satan may be the agent that inflicts the stroke, God is the kind friend that “gives” it: and though Satan intends us nothing but evil, God overrules it for our good.]
The conduct of the Apostle under his trial will be instructive to us, if we consider,
II. The means by which he obtained deliverance from it—
He carried his trouble to a throne of grace—
[Paul well knew the efficacy of fervent prayer, and how vain it was to contend with Satan in his own strength. He therefore besought the Lord to extract this thorn, and to relieve him from his distress. The Lord not immediately vouchsafing him an answer, he renewed his petitions with yet greater fervour: and when still no answer came, he became more and more urgent, determining, like Jacob of old, that he would not go without a blessing. This was a certain mean of obtaining deliverance. It was the mean which our Lord himself used under the pressure of that wrath that was due to our sins: He prayed “thrice” that the cup might pass from him. Nor is such urgent prayer at all expressive of a want of resignation to the will of God: it is our privilege and our duty to “call upon God in the time of trouble;” and troubles are often sent for this very purpose, to bring us nearer to God; and are continued for a time, to discover to us more abundantly the condescension of God in the removal of them.]
The person, whom he immediately addressed, was the Lord Jesus—
[Paul had heard Stephen in the hour of martyrdom calling on the Lord Jesus; and had seen what support was administered to him on that trying occasion [Note: Act_7:58-59.]. And whither should he himself fly but to that same adorable Friend, who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and, “having been in all points tempted like us, is able and willing to succour his tempted people [Note: Heb_2:18; Heb_4:15.]” That his petitions were immediately addressed to Christ, is certain; for we are told in the text, that it was Christ who answered him, and on whose promised aid the Apostle was enabled to rely.]
In due time he received an answer to his petitions—
[At last the suppliant was informed, that the grace of Christ which had already been so abundant in his first conversion, should be “sufficient for him” under every subsequent trial: and that however disheartened the Apostle might be on account of his great and manifold infirmities, he should experience no real evil from them: on the contrary, they should be a source of much good, inasmuch as they should be the means of displaying, and magnifying, the strength of Christ. Thus all cause of complaint was taken away from him, because Satan was sure to be defeated by him, and the work of Christ to be advanced both in his own heart, and by his ministrations in the world. This answer, though not precisely agreeable to the letter of the Apostle’s petition, fully corresponded with the spirit of it. Our blessed Lord himself, when “supplicating with strong crying and tears” for the removal of the cup, did not obtain the precise object of his request; yet we are told that he “was heard,” because he was strengthened, and enabled to drink it [Note: Heb_5:7.]. Thus the Apostle’s petitions also were crowned with success. The trial was indeed continued: but the end for which God sent it, was accomplished. Had God removed the thorn, it is possible that the Apostle might have been “exalted above measure,” and might thereby have suffered irreparable loss in his soul: but by sanctifying the trouble, God confirmed him in his humility, and rendered him a distinguished instrument of good to his Church.]
That the Apostle considered his petition as completely answered, will appear from,
III. The effect which this answer produced upon him—
From this moment all his sorrows were turned into joy—
[St. Paul did not merely submit to the Divine will, and bear with patience a trial which he could not remove; but he even gloried in his tribulations; and made those very infirmities, which just before had been a subject of such pathetic lamentation, an occasion of joy and triumph. It is thus that every Christian is called to manifest his acquiescence in the appointments of heaven: he should count it all joy when he falls into divers temptations, and, being strengthened unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness, he should give thanks unto the Father, who, by trials, is fitting him for glory [Note: Jam_1:2. Col_1:11-12.].]
The consideration that Christ would be glorified in him, was sufficient to counterbalance all that lie had suffered, or might yet suffer for his sake—
[The honour of Christ was dear unto the Apostle, and should be dear unto all who call themselves Christians. The continuance of the trial in the Apostle’s flesh, was an occasion of Christ’s more abundant kindness towards him. His compassionate Saviour drew nigh unto him, and dwelt as it were upon him, as God, by the symbol of his presence, had formerly rested on the tabernacle in the wilderness [Note: ἐ ð é ó ê ç í þ ó ῃ .]. And as the rebellious Israelites had been constrained to acknowledge the presence of God with Moses, so were Paul’s enemies constrained to acknowledge that Christ was with him of a truth. The more weak and contemptible he was in their eyes, the more they must be compelled to glorify Christ, by whom he was strengthened in his spirit, and made successful in his ministrations. And if more glory might be brought to Christ by means of these infirmities, he was not only willing to endure them, but ready to glory in them even unto death [Note: Php_1:20.].]
Exhortation—
Let us inquire into the cause of our troubles—
[The rod has a voice which we ought to hear [Note: Mic_6:9.]: and, if we would attend to it, it would discover to us many hidden but grievous abominations, which lurk unseen in our hearts; and we should almost invariably find, not only that the chastisement was needed by us, but that it was that very trial which was most of all calculated to promote our spiritual and eternal good — — —]
Let us carry them all to a throne of grace—
[It is to little purpose to complain of them to our fellow-creatures: but “God never says to any, Seek ye my face in vain.” Who could have conceived that Paul should receive such a speedy and effectual answer to his prayer? But if we were alike urgent in our supplications, we should be crowned with the like success — — —]
Let us exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—
[He says to us, “Believe in God; believe also in me [Note: Joh_14:1.].” He is God, equal with the Father; and “in him all fulness dwells.” His promise is addressed to all his suffering and tempted people; and the truth of it shall be experienced by them all. Only let us believe in him; and no adversary shall be too strong, no calamity too heavy, no duty too difficult; for “all things are possible to him that believeth.”]