The Thorn

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd January 22, 2018 - Filed in Devotional - 6,032 views
  By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:7 WEB
  
  Paul, the converted Christian hunter who wrote a lot of the New Testament, had a thorn in the flesh. He does not say what it was. It may have been lust, or a critical spirit, or headaches, or possibly bad eyes (Galatians 4:15). Whatever it was, it bothered him and he wanted to be free of it. Paul asked the Lord three times to take it away, but the Lord told him 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Paul continued to minister while the thorn was still there.
  
  The grace of God is like oil that smooths the gears of life. It makes things fall into place, and it can make you be at the right place, at the right time, saying the right things, and knowing all the right answers. When the Lord herded me into my own computer repair business, it seemed like they almost fixed themselves. Often when I touched them, they suddenly started working correctly, or the problem revealed itself.
  
  Grace can make things seem easy, but when the grace lifts, things become difficult and that can be a sign to move on. Later, when the Lord decided to put me in the ministry, the computer business dried completely up and it became a living nightmare. It seemed like trivial things like burning a disk could take half a day, where it used to take a few minutes. The grace was gone, and it was time to move on.
  
  Having problems and thorns will not stop God from using you. If you are walking with something today that will not leave, and you cry out to the Lord repeatedly, but still it is there, don't give up. Know that His grace is sufficient to get you through this day, and He will still use the imperfect and weak to show His power, with all their flaws, just as He continued to use Paul.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for Your grace. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Lead me into all that You have for me here, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
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