Please
read: 2 Corinthians 12
I know for sure that having to go through some kind of
affliction is not an easy task! All of us have experienced pain and suffering
of some kind, but most important, is how we deal when in this situation. Especially now that we are going through this
world-wide pandemic!
Jesus before warning his disciples of the afflictions
they were to endure, reassured them that in Him they would have His peace and
would overcome with Him, too!
“I have told you these
things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering,
but be courageous [be
confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished,
My victory abiding.]” (John 16:33 AMP)
Isn`t this something we
should treasure as a promise for us too?
Paul was not the
exception, he also endured many hardships throughout his life and ministry, but
in today´s scripture Paul speaks of a ¨thorn in the flesh¨ that he begged the
Lord to remove.
“ Because of the surpassing
greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I
received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as
important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to
torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! “ (Vs.7 AMP)
The Lord did not remove
this thorn, but gave him the strength to bear it:
“… but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My
mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and
is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” (Vs.9 AMP)
"God will always
honour our prayers, and sometimes it is a golden answer to deny us our request,
and give us the very opposite of what we seek… What a sad thing it must be
not to be a believer in Christ, because thorns we shall have if we are not in
Christ, but those thorns will not be blessings to us?.” (C. H. Spurgeon)
Paul in the following verses
continued boasting with joy of the power of God that enabled him to thrive in
his ministry; he was certain that this affliction, this “thorn on the flesh”
-that God would not deliver him from- would keep him steadfast and humble.
“There is sublime joy in
holy boasting of the power of God in a life that is totally dependent on
Him. There is sublime peace in accepting
the sufficiency of God´s grace by allowing Him to be strong in us where we are
weak.” Marie Chapian
What an example we have
in Paul: God’s Holy Spirit working through a totally surrendered life! Paul knew there was a holy purpose in his
affliction! God did not spare Paul from the suffering, but gave him the power
to conquer it!
Let us consider: Are our
weaknesses the opportunity for God´s power to be made perfect in us?
Before I close, let us
reflect on these words by Matthew Henry:
“Grace
signifies the goodwill of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and
enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and
distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is
manifested and magnified.”
This is my prayer for us here at Women in the Word.
Mari
