A Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
This message from the Bible written by Paul was sent by God to keep Paul humble. Paul longed for relief from this painful hindrance to his ministry, went to the Lord and begged three times for relief. God would not remove the thorn, as requested, but would continually provide Paul with grace to endure the pain. The passage also confirms the weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God’s grace will shine forth. Paul took no pleasure in his pain, but he rejoiced in the power of Christ that it revealed through him, and to others around him.
The three-fold repetition of Paul’s request parallels that of Jesus’ request in Gethsemane, as described in Mark 14:32-41. Both Paul and Jesus had their requests denied, but each were granted grace to endure their ordeals.
Grace can be defined as “undeserved favor”. Grace cannot be earned, but it is something that is freely given by God. As we are blessed to experience God’s grace in our lives and as we seek to be more like Jesus, we can grow in sharing our grace with others. Having grace-filled hearts and lives will lead us to share God’s love even moreso with others around us.
Do you remember the acrostics Tina shared with us a few months ago in our church bulletin? There are multiple definitions for acrostic but the one that applies here is – an acrostic is where the first letter of each word creates another word.
The acrostic for grace that Tina shared with us recently is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
God offers us His many riches if we choose to truly know Him, follow Him, love Him, and believe in Him. We are offered the opportunity to spend eternity in His presence and with all of His believers.
Philippians 4:19 – And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Spend your life continuing to grow in your knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, and don’t be deterred by outside earthly influences. Focus on God’s offered grace and on your knowledge of the goodness of God in your life, both now and for eternity.
2 Peter 3:18 – … but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
We know that Christ paid the ultimate expense and sacrifice for us by giving His life on the cross so that we may receive the ultimate gift of eternal life.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.
Finally, the August 29 message in Tim Tebow’s devotional titled One Year Devotional: Mission Possible stated Are you or a friend experiencing a season of difficulty? Remind yourself or tell your friend that the God who was at work for Job, Joseph, and Paul is also at work for you. Amen!