Where is a man like Paul vulnerable? It's pretty obvious that success often leads to conceit and Paul had been enormously successful in building up the kingdom. On top of that he had gone through some kind of mystical, out-of-this-world experience that just doesn't happen to most people. Thus Paul saw the purpose quite clearly.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. -2 Corinthians 12:7

Who is to say that God doesn't do the same thing to us sometimes? Maybe he takes a fence down here and there. Perhaps he cuts the devil a little slack and uses that entire experience to keep us from getting into an area where we would be far more vulnerable.

Sometimes a "Yes" Answer Hinders Somebody Else

I don't want you to get the idea that it is wrong to ask God to help you in a time of need. I'm convinced that it's all right to bring mundane cares and trials before God, but in the midst of all the "gimmies" and "help mes" we need to ask, "What effect is this going to have on somebody else?"

In 1987, the Detroit Tigers played the Toronto Blue Jays in the final regular season game of the baseball season. The right to play in the American League Championship series was on the line. The Tigers sent their ace pitcher, Frank Tanana to the mound, who proceeded to shut out the Jays. When he was interviewed after the game, he said that he wanted to give all credit to his "Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Was the implication that God wears a Detroit Tigers uniform? If so, why did God favor the Tigers over the Blue Jays?

Unfortunately that kind of praying isn't limited to sports. Let's suppose you pray for a promotion. If your promotion means some other fellow gets fired and is deprived of his means of earning a living, has God really acted in that situation? Do you really expect God to favor your family over his family? Let's ratchet up the seriousness of the illustration just a bit. Suppose our country goes to war. Do we expect God to be on our side? Are we sure the United State is right in all the wars it fights? Does God favor us because our flag is red, white and blue? That's a troubling question if you're a patriot. In case you're wondering, I bleed red, white and blue, but I stop short of believing that God honors our flag above all others.

Actually the Bible has some things to say about these matters. Consider the words of James.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. - James 4:1-3

Sometimes God Says "No" so We Will Grow Closer to Him

That seems to be the primary message of 2 Corinthians 12. Paul understood four purposes behind the thorn in the flesh.

1. to keep him from being conceited (v. 7).
2. to make grace available to him (v. 9).
3. to see God's power perfected in his weakness (v. 9).
4. to give him a legitimate reason to boast (v. 9).

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