Daily Devotions
God Is Not a Vending Machine
Title: God Is Not a Vending Machine
Reading for July 15: Isaiah 1-3
Weekly reading for July 15-21: 2 Corinthians 10-13
...a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
What is the purpose of prayer?
From this passage we can see it's not primarily about making our life easier. God is not a vending machine. Prayer is not merely about getting what we want. God sometimes says "no" or "wait."
God's answer to Paul speaks volumes about the purpose of prayer: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Prayer is about giving us power: power to become what God wants us to be; the power of Christ to overcome the flesh. Prayer is about our spiritual growth.
So, if you are praying over a thorn in your life, don't stop praying! God may give you relief, but even if he doesn't don't despair. It may be he wants to bless you with something even better through your thorn.
Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.
--Karolina W. Sandell-Berg
