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If it is useful to consider prayers granted for encouragement, it is also desirable to reflect on prayers not granted for instruction. We delight to pass in review Abraham, Hezekiah, etc. But it must not be forgotten there are opposite cases that represent in shade, as the others in light, the will and mercy of God. Was it not so with Moses, beseeching the Lord to cancel His prohibition; with David, as he pleaded for the life of his child; with Jeremiah, as he says, "When I cry He shutteth out my prayer"?

I. GOD, WHILE BLESSING HIS SERVANTS, OFTEN DOES NOT WITHHOLD FROM THEM PAINFUL SUFFERINGS. A very striking account of special favour is related. Heaven seemed unveiled. But now, in connection with this experience, "a thorn in the flesh" was appointed, to be a memorial, as the halting on the thigh to Jacob, of what he had passed through. This shadows forth the frequent dealings of God with His people. To some strong assurance, peculiar intimacy, are allowed. Exceptional experiences are related by Mr. Flavel and Mr. Tennant. But the cup of trial has often been put into the hands of such. Remember R. Baxter, through fifty long years, worn with a painful malady, writing his books often in agony lying on the ground; R. Hall, a martyr through his life to torturing pain; Dr. Payson, a sufferer from habitual weakness; the eminent Jay grieving over godlessness in his family. So in the rank and file of Christian life. In all sunshine there are shadows, and, like Job, men ask, under the mystery of Providence, Why. Always feel, however, "It is the Lord," not in anger, but love.

II. PRAYER IS THE RESOURCE OF THE SOUL IN TRIAL. The apostle did not submit without an effort to obtain the removal of his suffering. Christianity is not stoicism. Ours is to be —

1. The prayer of faith. A real, not imaginary, audience with God.

2. The prayer of earnestness. The little child often a pattern, and in this earnestness not soon baffled, but expecting, hoping, desiring, waiting.

3. The prayer of submission, not of presumption. Paul besought, did not dictate.

III. PRAYER, THOUGH NOT GRANTED IN OUR, IS ANSWERED IN GOD'S WAY.

1. Often by revealing the purpose of the trial. "Lest I should be exalted." If we could see what would develop in our character apart from trial we should better understand. An artist, standing on scaffold, was painting the dome of a cathedral; stepped back to see the effect, unconsciously was going too far — in a moment would have fallen, but a friend dashed a brush with colour against his work. He darted forward and was saved. To save us from backward and perilous steps God often appears to deal severely.

2. By giving ability to bear our trial — My grace sufficient. What a conscious rest we have in God when with all griefs and cares we commit ourselves to Him. Like S. Rutherford we can say, "I rest myself on the bosom of Omnipotence."

3. By sanctifying the experience of the trial and making it a means of advantage. The apostle found the bane a blessing.Conclusion:

1. It is important sometimes to record even our failures. Some may be kept from despondency.

2. God, by His Divine alchemy, can always bring good out of evil.

3. God glorifies Himself in His people when He comforts them.

(G. McMichael, B. A.)

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KJV: For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

WEB: Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.