Our Thorn in the Flesh

All of us, if we are honest, recognise weaknesses we have. I could list a few of mine for you, but I won’t. I wrestle with them and often wonder why they can’t just miraculously and instantaneously disappear. Wouldn’t life be good then!

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Don’t resent weakness but learn to trust God to work through it by trusting him to provide.

As we have been travelling through 2 Corinthians, Paul has been opening our eyes to his own personal struggles, frustrations, heartache, compassion and love for the Corinthian church. In this section of the letter, he has been defending his call as an apostle and spiritual father to the Corinthians, and his conviction that they not be led astray by false teachers and away from Christ. At the centre of everything for Paul is that Christ is glorified and followed— this is where life is, in Jesus.

The false apostles portrayed an image of success, authority and strength which they boasted about. Paul now opens a very personal door of his own weakness and pain which are the things he believes we can boast about because they point to the grace and strength of God.

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinth 12:7-9)

Don’t resent weakness but learn to trust God to work through it by trusting him to provide. Draw close to him and he will draw close to you. There is power that works through us weak vessels that glorifies our Lord. May his name be lifted high as we walk by faith.

God Bless

Pastor Stephen