2nd Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
When Jesus encourages us to knock, and it shall be opened, it means to continue knocking until we get the answer from God, that is according to His will. But after He has been pleased to answer, there is no need to continue knocking because God has already made His will plain. This humble attitude would set the stage in many instances for persons to correctly understand God’s providences.
2nd Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Again, Moses petitioned God on a particular matter on more than one occasion. On account of the fits of anger manifested when he struck the rock twice, God had told him that he would not be permitted to go over to Canaan. This request came after Moses had led the Hebrews for forty years, and therefore, in his finite mind, he thought that God should change course this once. But in this instance, it wasn’t the will of God for him to go over into Canaan, for God was preparing one of the most devastating assaults on satan’s kingdom and Moses was to be an integral part of the plan. In His wisdom therefore, the request of Moses would not be granted, and Moses was instructed not to continue seeking his preference in the matter.
Deuteronomy 3: 23 And I besought the Lord at that time, saying, 25 I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 26 But the Lord was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the Lord said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!