Apr.10 Devotion: A Thorn in the Flesh

A THORN IN THE FLESH

2 Corinthians 12:5, 7-9 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

[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.

[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.

The mere mention of (grace) and our minds instinctively turn upon God’s salvation when we did not deserve it. Grace is always connected to the giving of God’s love and mercy. Most of us can go back to a time or place in our lives when we did not deserve it, BUT GOD showed us HIS love and grace at a crucial moment in our life. I have never met a person who has anything bad to say about grace. Who wouldn’t value mercy, love, compassion and forgiveness; who wouldn’t want these priceless blessings in our lives? When we think of grace, how many of us think of sufferings, of trials, persecutions, physical challenges, and hopeless situations? Grace is that mysterious gift from God given to extend HIS power to us through situations that have rendered us powerless. The glory of God’s power is manifested in the outpouring of HIS Grace during times of difficulties. Hallelujah! Knowing this, if the difficulties never come, how then will God’s glory be seen? Grace is an all-sufficient perfecting tool in the hand of God; a truth known all too well by the Apostle Paul.

Paul was given a thorn in the flesh in order to make him weak. What kind of thorn Paul had is only mere speculation, some thought it to be a physical condition of the eyes and some say it may have been some other physical weakness. Whatever it was, God intended it to be a source of HIS great power, not of weakness. The way up with God is always down…the way to first place is to be last…the way to get is to give…the way out is in and the way to power is through weakness! HIS ways are incomprehensible and beyond our human reasoning; so vast and complex that the human mind can’t wrap itself around the understanding of an Almighty God.

When Paul came to understand this truth, he was set free in his spirit. All of a sudden his situation didn’t matter. It was not about his circumstances any longer, it was about GRACE – God’s grace! Paul asked the Lord three times to relieve his situation and being denied his request each time, he was beginning to understand the working of God’s power and grace in his life. Paul now understood that grace operates within the realm of weakness. Christian friend, today if you find yourself weak and trying to find the way out of a trial, sickness or difficult place; maybe the Lord wants you to STAY IN and get through by HIS Grace! Child of God, HIS Grace is sufficient and you will find HIS strength in your weakness. Today, may the power of Christ rest upon you and may Jesus be glorified in your weakness.

Bro. Lawrence Longworth

Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”