Grace in the Thorn

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me, (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

We do not fully understand what Paul was referring to when he described a thorn in his flesh. Scholars often surmise it as physical pain, and many believe Paul had some sort of disability. Regardless of the specific affliction Paul was dealing with, the message is powerful. In truth, we all suffer with thorns in our flesh that result from the fallen condition of this world. As Paul put it, a messenger of Satan, these thorns are produced as a result of Satan’s perceived dominion over the world.

But do not mistake God’s response to Paul: God has the power to heal and remove strongholds. Although God allows Satan to have perceived power over the world, it is not ultimate power. God allows us to choose. We can choose to sit in sin, pride, self-sufficiency, pity, or indulgence, or surrender with full reliance on Him. God told Paul no because His “grace is sufficient” and “His power is made perfect in weakness.”

While God does not want His children to suffer, suffering is a result of sin in this world. It may not be a direct result of your sin, but of sin itself. What is the thorn you are dealing with today? What thorn are you in, and what testimony did the thorn produce? Is your thorn illness, physical pain, mental torment, addiction, pride, anger, lust, or greed? The list can go on and on. Surrender your thorn to God today, and thank Him that His power is made perfect in our weakness. Through this surrender, and through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, we must boast, or testify, to God’s goodness, even if the pain of the thorn remains. Surrender your thorn, lay it at the feet of your loving Father, and lean into His Grace. He will make all things new; we cannot do anything apart from Him. Lay it all down.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that your grace is sufficient no matter the circumstances we face. Father, we thank You for the “thorns in our flesh” that cause us to fully rely on You. Father, we know Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Through our weakness and surrender to You, we boast; give us the courage to testify to Your goodness today. In Jesus name, Amen.