Giving
Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
This week we start a new series dealing with the topic, The Problem of Pain and Suffering.
The messages come from the heart of one who has experienced suffering in those dear to Him.
Today we are talking about Thorn in the Flesh.
Text
2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP
9 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.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 12:1-9 AMP
Paul’s Vision
12 It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell].
5 On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
6 If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it], so that no one will credit me with more than [is justified by what] he sees in me or hears from me.
A Thorn in the Flesh
7 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!
8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me;
9 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.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
Some people seem to enjoy talking about their afflictions.
This was not the case with the apostle Paul.
He does, however, tell us in today’s Scripture passage about his affliction, his “thorn in the flesh.”
We are grateful that he shared such an experience with us.
We often ask about our trouble, “Why did God send this upon me?”
Maybe God did not send it at all.
Paul said the thorn was “a messenger of satan” sent to torment him.
Much if our suffering is due to our own choices.
Satan deceives us.
- What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?
We are not really sure.
It may have been figurative, it could have been bad temper, remorse for having persecuted the church, some personal adversary, or carnal temptation.
If literal, it might have been malaria, an eye disease, epilepsy, arthritis, or maybe an unhealed would from some beating.
What is your thorn?
It may be anything exceedingly trying or difficult.
It may be a weak body, a great sorrow, or some gnawing burden.
It may be a bad heart, disappointment, failure, or weakness.
It may be someone who is always getting under your skin.
A person may be born with a thorn or discover it late in life.
We do not know what tormented Paul.
Im glad we don’t.
If we did, it would help us only when we had that particular affliction.
As it is, his thorn represents every affliction.
There is one thing we can say, his thorn in the flesh repudiates the philosophy that if you live right, you will be healthy and things will go smoothly for you.
Think of how God’s people have suffered.
Job had something like skin cancer.
Moses had a stammering tongue.
Jeremiah was overwhelmed with a sense of his own deficiencies.
Peter had a bad temper.
Francis of Assisi had tuberculosis.
If you have a thorn, you stand in the company of some of the great people of history.
2. How can we deal with our thorns?
You can refuse to admit it.
You can try to escape it through drink or pleasure.
You can harden yourself to it.
But how did Paul deal with his thorn?
First, he prayed about it.
He admitted his problem and pleaded with the Lord to take it away.
Moses faced the bitter complaints of his people through prayer.
Elijah, upon feeling helpless and powerless on Mount Carmel, cried out to God.
David, when his heart was broken by his own failure and sin, prayed.
You can learn the secret of a power beyond your own through prayer.
Second, Paul relied on the grace of God.
Each time Paul prayed that God would remove the thorn, the answer came back, “No.”
But God said “My grace is sufficient for you.”
Paul came to know the sufficiency of God’s sustaining grace.
God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, in our suffering, and in our sin.
Thirdly, Paul gloried in his thorn.
He came to thank God for it.
The final note to be sounded in any spiritual victory is that of thanksgiving.
In Ephesians 5:20 he spoke of “giving thanks always for all things.”
Weakness, suffering, and trials can bring great spiritual blessings.
Perhaps that is the reason Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
In the Old Testament when the presence of God was exceedingly great, that presence was the shekinah glory.
It went before the children of Israel on their wilderness journeys.
It was also above the tabernacle.
It signified the personal presence of God, so Paul said in essence, “My very weakness has made it possible for the shekinah glory of the Lord to dwell over me.”
Paul’s physical handicap brought spiritual blessings.
Conclusion.
God gives us grace to bear our pain and bring us to the place where we can glory in our suffering.
Thank God for your thorn!
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
Giving
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
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