Refiner – Part 5 – The Thorn
Passage:
“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)
- What do we do when the thorn stays longer than we want it to?
- What do we do when God says no when we ask for the trial to end?
that’s exactly where Paul finds himself in 2 Corinthians 12.
- Paul finds himself in a season where the thorn – the trial – is not leaving.
- He shows us what to do when the thorn stays.
He tells us we must:
- Interpret the Thorn
- Submit the Thorn
- Boast in the Thorn
Interpret the Thorn
“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.
- “Trials are where learned theology becomes lived theology.”
Submit the Thorn
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.’
He says – My GRACE – is sufficient for you
- or in other words – I AM ENOUGH FOR YOU.
Boast in the Thorn:
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- Charles Spurgeon once said – I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the rock of ages.
- When Paul talks about boasting in his weaknesses here – he is not making light of it – or being arrogant or flippant.
He is saying – If God’s power is truly made perfect right here – where I lack – when I am weak – why should I be afraid or hide my weakness?
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.”