Verse of the Day for June 27

Paul prayed the same prayer three times. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. We are never told exactly what the thorn was. We are told that he asked, and asked again, and asked a third time.

The answer was honest, and it was not the one he wanted. My grace is sufficient for thee. The thorn stayed. God did not remove it. He explained what he would do with it instead.

There is kindness in that honesty. God did not leave Paul guessing. He gave him a reason. my strength is made perfect in weakness. The weakness would become the very place where the power of Christ would rest.

Paul's response is honest too. He does not pretend the thorn is pleasant. He lists infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses. But he chooses to glory in them, because of who rests on him there.

Some prayers will be answered the way Paul's was. You may be in a hospital corridor tonight, praying for the third or the thirtieth time. It is right to keep asking. And if the answer comes back as grace instead of removal, it is still an answer, and his grace will be enough for this day.

Asking God again for the same thing is not a lack of faith, because Paul did it.

Grace that is sufficient is grace that is enough for today, even if the thorn remains.