Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. We should be extremely
grateful that the Lord does not always answer our prayers as
we think we would like for Him to. One of the marks of the Lord's
love to His elect children is that He is working all things
together for their good. He is so determined to bring
us along the proper path and so much desires our well-being
that He will only do for us those things which are beneficial for
us, even if it means denying our requests. So I believe it
is a great blessing when the Lord does not fulfill our desires
when those desires would either lead us astray or not result
in our ultimate good. God intends to bring his people
into conformity with his Son and will spare no expense nor
hold back any chastening in order to work that perfect work. We
see this illustrated in the Apostle Paul. Paul had a thorn in the
flesh. Many have speculated on what
this was exactly, since the Scriptures do not specifically tell us.
They seem to indicate that it was some sort of physical malady,
perhaps poor eyesight. But while we cannot be certain
what the exact thorn was, we can be certain that it was worrisome
enough to Paul that he approached the Lord in a formal way three
different times to request its removal. But the Lord did not
honor his request, even though Paul thought this thorn was a
great hindrance in the flesh as Paul viewed it to his ministry.
Because the Lord had a purpose in bringing this thorn, even
a messenger from Satan, upon Paul in order that he might not
be lifted up with pride, and he was going to fulfill that
purpose for Paul's benefit. And he said unto me, My grace
is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
All glory belongs to the Lord, and we must learn that no man's
ministry is so indispensable that the Lord will overlook the
working in him of his reliance upon and growth in Christ. We
see this illustrated in the prophet Elijah. Elijah was a great miracle-working
prophet and is the epitome of the Old Testament prophets. His
prayers were answered numerous times and he is even used as
an example of fervent and effectual prayer. Yet the Lord was pleased
to deny his request when he asked the Lord to take his life. The
very best and most spiritual of men are prone to bouts of
weakness, self-pity, and poor judgment. Thank the Lord that
he is not moved by the whims and emotions of men, but is working
his perfect work in his people at all times. God often uses
the denial of their prayers to reveal to them a greater blessing
that they could not see otherwise, just like the revelation he gave
to Elijah that he had reserved unto himself seven thousand men
who were not Baal worshippers. We see this illustrated in Mary
and Martha. These precious ladies sent word
to the Lord Jesus, acting in great faith I might add, to come
quickly and heal their brother Lazarus, even appealing to the
fact that he was greatly loved by the Lord. Yet the Lord, upon
hearing this request, which was not news to him who knows all
things, tarried with his disciples until he knew Lazarus had been
dead for four days. The Lord often delays His answer
to our prayers because He wants us to learn a greater lesson
and see His power demonstrated in a way that He could not if
He granted our wishes precisely when we ask. So we see the Lord
acting exactly according to His purpose and arriving at exactly
the proper time, though it was deemed late by these women. We
see this illustrated in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord had one
chief desire as He walked upon this earth. That was to fulfill
His Father's purpose in all things and be found pleasing in His
sight. Yet we find Him praying in agony in the garden. O my
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Some have
characterized his prayer as a crying out in the weakness of his flesh
to be kept from the pain and suffering of the crucifixion.
I believe this to be a great error in analysis. Rather, he
was agonizing with this great dilemma. The only way that he
could be found pleasing in the Father's eyes was to be found
accursed in the same. Oh, what wonder and amazement
must fill our hearts as we see Him who knew no sin becoming
sin for us. The spotless Lamb of God judged
as a guilty sinner in the sight of one whom He desired to please
and whose law He came to fulfill. He who could have called ten
thousand angels willingly laid down Himself to judgment for
our sake, becoming an outcast from the Father's presence. Because
He was a perfect Son, He cried out, Nevertheless, not as I will,
but as thou wilt. who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. Are you resting
in the faithfulness of God? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.