My Faith Journey
Read 2 Corinthians 12: 7 – 10
“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 [c]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The Apostle Paul shared about his experience of being taken up into Paradise, receiving vision and revelations from God. (2 Corinthians 12:1 – 6). He describes that as extraordinary greatness of the revelations and could have used that to exalt himself.
The Thorn in the Flesh
The apostle did not specify what he was going through. The “thorn in the flesh” could be illnesses or challenges that he is facing. He describes the thorn in the flesh as a messenger of Satan to buffet him. In one sense, it may represent an effort on Satan’s part to hinder Paul in the work of the Lord. He pleaded with God three times to have that taken away from him. But God used the thorn to further the work of the Lord by keeping Paul humble (v.7-8).
The Grace of God
With unanswered prayer, we may feel disappointed. But with faith, we can have the assurance that God know what is best. With Paul, the answer he received was not in the way he had hoped for. But instead, God gave him grace to bear the pain. Such grace is fully sufficient, it comes with power and strength in Paul’s ministry.
Application: In the Midst of Trials
God can remove the trials and suffering along our path. However, in Paul’s experience, even better than removal, is the companionship of God, along with the assurance of strength and enabling grace. In humility, Paul chose to put his trust in God. While our trials may differ from Paul, they should lead to the same spiritual growth and fruits. God will provides His grace to empower you.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to be steadfast before you. There may be answers that I received which may not be in the way I hope for. Teach me and give me the grace to understand your way and the faith to allow you to lead me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
2 Corinthians 12:7 -10
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.