“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Corinthians 12:9)
Because of the abundance of revelations given to him, Paul writes that a thorn of the flesh was given to him. (2 Corinthians 12:7) No one seems to know what this was. There are speculations that it might have been some temptations, sickness, his opponents or his agony over the Jewish rejection of the Gospel. But since Paul did not mention what it was, it remains a mystery. What isn’t a mystery is his belief that it was sent by satan and that it kept him from exalting himself. (verse 7) He prayed three times that it might be taken from him, but God’s answer is our Scripture of study.
In our study of Job, we see how satan is always the bearer of misery. His purpose hasn’t changed. We also see how our Father allows satan to torment the righteous for His purposes and for His glory. In Job’s case it was a test of his faithfulness to the Lord. (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7) In Paul’s case it was to keep him from exalting himself because he’d been given many revelations. (2 Corinthians 12:7)
Paul prayed three times that it would be removed from him, but the Lord responded that His grace was sufficient to withstand it and that He would show Himself strong in Paul’s weakness. This is not that Paul was weakened by it but limited because of it. Paul was a very capable person. He was educated in the best and to the highest degree. He had resources and a very strong network of people in high places. It would have been very easy for him to do things his way and to come and go wherever and whenever he wanted. And so it is with many capable people. It’s easy for them to accomplish things in their own strength. And because they are able, it may be difficult to wait on the Lord and to do things God’s way. But although chosen of the Lord to accomplish great things because they are capable, God still wants their dependance and trust to be in Him.
Jesus Himself depended and waited on the Father. “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will shew Him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will.” (John 5:19-21) And later we read, “Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as my Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8:25-29) Jesus did and said what the Father wanted Him to do and speak.
Paul understood how difficult it was in his humanness to humble himself and not take things into his own hands. How many of us in our ministries haven’t acted before consulting with the Lord? Why? ...because we think we know best. Of course, we are appalled that at the end of everything, that is at the core of our actions. Like Jesus, consult with the Lord every step of the way, even if it’s evident to our human eyes and mind to take such and such a step. God always has a better way that didn’t occur to us or if it did occur, we thought that it was not the best. But God’s wisdom is beyond our earthly wisdom that is limited. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Paul’s thorn in the flesh limited him. It allowed God to take the reins and lead him, guide his way and give him the revelations, wisdom, knowledge and understanding to the church, exalting Himself and bringing glory to the Himself and not Paul. Paul could see that it was the Lord doing the work because he was incapable of doing it. And so it is with us. When we become “weak” or limit ourselves in our own human understanding of things and allow God to take the reins, He will exalt and glorify Himself, doing what we cannot. That’s why Paul writes, “...I rather glory in my infirmities...” The more he was limited, the more God would do and glorify Himself.
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