“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. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.” 2 Cor. 12:7-10
Devotional Thought For The Day
These are quite curious verses, just as much of the apostle’s arguments in the latter chapters of this epistle are difficult to digest. The thoughts he expresses, and the experiences he is reflecting upon, are quite different than what we would expect from a strong, wise, and seasoned veteran of Christian faith and ministry. However, they are full of wisdom, the kind of wisdom that we are called to grow in, and they help us to understand and even flourish in similar kinds of circumstances. So it is helpful for us to reflect on what is written.
First, like Paul we have received abundant blessings in regard to knowing God and Christ, through the precious Word of God, the Holy Scriptures. God has granted us wonderful experiences and evidences of His power and His gracious love. However, regardless of how pious we may be, the greater the knowledge and certainty of our abilities the greater the temptation to conceit. Our sinful nature is not diminished as we grow older or wiser; Solomon is the greatest example of this. We have seen this in others, and others have probably had to endure it from us. Because pride and conceit is so deadly to faith and love, God “arranges” things to keep our sinful nature in check in regard to haughtiness.
These “thorns” that God allows to come into our lives are nothing we would like. In fact, they are horrific and we would do anything to be rid of them. Finally, we pray to God and beg Him to remove them – so that we can have greater peace, joy, happiness, and serenity. When nothing changes we are forced to struggle with many thoughts – does God not love me anymore? Does God not care about me? Has God rejected me? Why does God reduce my capacity to serve Him? Of what value is “weakness” and lack of personal strength? While we think that these things are eroding and destroying our faith, in the end they actually make our faith stronger. Our faith in ourselves and our sense of personal empowerment is surely eroded away by these things – and this forces us to rely more upon God’s strength and power. And as Paul discovered, “when I am weak, then I am strong,” for in our moments of weakness Christ’s power “rests” upon us – which is actually far better!
These are curious dynamics that God utilizes to neutralize to some degree the destructive aspects of our sinful nature, to humble us and to grow greater faith and trust in Him. And although this is not very pleasant to our sinful nature, and we are forced to struggle, we are also blessed with this assurance from God: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” It is a promise, which requires and effects greater faith within us. It changes our perspective so that we are not so focused on “outcome,” on what we can do and take credit for, but rather focused on love and service – and leaving the outcome to God, where it always belongs anyway.
So the process, though discomforting and troubling, actually makes us much better and much better off. Certainly Christ’s power is always preferable to our own strength! And it is God, His great love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation, that is most important, that regenerates human beings and empowers their inner renewal. So whatever strengths or greatness we might have can actually become distracting and counterproductive to the kingdom of God. So it is just as John the Baptist observed: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” [John 3:30] This is not bad, but better, and for our own good. So we are blessed and privileged to experience what the apostle Paul did, and to grow through all of these experiences, in ways that we perhaps would never have anticipated and find difficult to embrace. But with the promise of God everything works out to the greater good!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the great revelations of Your love that You have provided for us, and for the blessings of wisdom and knowledge that come through Your Word. Thank You also for the many humbling experiences that we have that direct and force us to greater faith and trust in You. Grant us the right balance of proper humility but certainty and confidence in You, so that we do not grow haughty, and that we needn’t shrink from those who are enemies of Your kingdom. Keep us growing in faith and trust in You. Amen.