"Concerning this thorn I pleaded
with the Lord three times that
it might depart from me."
2 Corinthians 12: 8
There were false apostles at Corinth who
sought to discredit Paul’s ministry. Some
scholars believe these were the “thorn in
the flesh” Paul asked God to remove
from him (2 Corinthians 12:7-8).
He was in danger of pride over the
divine
revelations that he had received (12:1-7).
These “false apostles” (11:13-15) attacking
him could have been God’s method to
keep Paul humble.
Whether Paul’s thorn was from people or
circumstances, the situation caused Paul
to realize that in his
weakness Christ was
his sufficiency (12:9-10). The truth is, God
often does His deepest work in us through
the people and circumstances in our life.
Instead of resisting or rebelling against
people and problems, we
might want to
pray, “Lord, show me what I can learn
and how I can grow in You.”
View life providentially. Let God use every
person and problem to continue conforming
you to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
"God’s grace is sufficient for
us anywhere His providence
places us."
Unknown
