We all have thorns in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12
2 Corinthians 12 (7)
Pray Psalm 46.1-3.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Selah
Sing Psalm 46.1-3.
(St. Chrysostom: We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought)
God is our refuge and our strength; He is our help in times of need.
Thus though the earth beneath us should change, the sea engulf the mountain range.
Waters may roar with raging speed; yet God will rescue us at length.
Review 2 Corinthians 12.1-21; meditate on verses 9-11.
Preparation
1. When was Paul strongest?
2. How was that so?
Meditation
Chapter 12 is a continuation of chapter 11 in which Paul felt it necessary to stoop to the level of his detractors and boast about himself a bit.
But his boasting was not like theirs. The false teachers boasted in their eloquence and their ability to attract followers by glomming onto the reputation of saintly apostles and then using their names to build their own little spiritual fiefdoms in Corinth. And the Corinthians, mere babes in Christ, allowed themselves to be led astray from the Jesus Path into all kinds of difficulties. Since they seemed to love those who boasted, Paul decided to do a little boasting of his own.
Paul’s “boasting”, however, was of a different sort—that which he had commended in 2 Corinthians 1.12 and 10.13-18. He made himself weak, infirm, persecuted, and afflicted so that he could boast in the Lord and His strength. He knew that all strength comes from the Lord and all that we have is from Him. Whatever boasting we do in this life should ultimately point to God and Jesus, in Whom all the promises of God are “Yes!” and “Amen!” (2 Cor. 1.20)
We are to boast of the Lord throughout our Personal Mission Field, but we must be careful lest our boasting in the Lord become just another form of boasting in ourselves. “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth” was the wise counsel of Solomon (Prov. 27.2). Even our boasting in the Lord must be in humility and with a view to edifying others in the Lord (Eph. 4.29; 1 Cor. 14.26).
Here’s a key to sincere and selfless boasting: The more we give praise and thanks to God throughout the day, the quicker we will be to give Him glory and boast in His grace at every opportunity.
Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
For all the things we have ever prayed for that have yet to be answered to our preference, God says: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12.9).
We have the mistaken notion that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was something major, like blindness. And it could have been that, for sure. But for our edification, and future use, it was not identified as a particular thing. It was, though, something that he implored the Lord mightily, on three separate occasions, to remove from him.
It is interesting to note that in verse 11 he says to the Corinthians “…I ought to have been commended by you.” Indeed, that was seen as a thorn, too.
How often do we lament some of these same things?
I ought to have been commended…
I ought to have been loved…
I ought to have been forgiven…
I ought to have been assured…
I ought to have been healed…
I ought to have been exonerated…
I ought to have been blessed…
And the fact that we have not been, is a thorn in our flesh.
But what does the Lord Jesus say to us about all those things? “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12.9).
We have the same intimate relationship with Jesus that Paul did.
If we listen closely, we can hear these same words of comfort spoken to us.
“‘I have loved you’, says the LORD” (Mal. 1.1).
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I AM the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” (Is. 43.1-3).
Therefore, we too, can gladly boast in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon us.
So, we take pleasure in all the ways we are stuck with thorns—infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses—for Christ’s sake. For during all those weaknesses, we are strong, when our full sufficiency is found in God’s loving and abounding grace for us.
For some of these painful thorns—instead of perpetually handing God tweezers to remove them—we would do better to trust Him, rest in Him, rejoice in Him, and believe that nothing has taken Him by surprise. He knows what He is doing, and exactly how this is all going to turn out in the end.
Our peace is found, not through a change of circumstances, but by embracing His sufficient grace.
For reflection
1. Do you have a thorn in the flesh? How do you deal with it?
2. Are there any “weaknesses” in your walk with the Lord that you could improve? How?
3. Where do you especially need the strength of the Lord today? Whom will you encourage in the strength of the Lord today?
God answers us, when he strengthens us inwardly by his Spirit, and sustains us by his consolation, so that we do not give up hope and patience. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12.9
Pray Psalm 46.4-11.
Thank God for the strength He provides each day, and for the gladness that comes from knowing Him. Consider His many works and praise Him for them. Rest in His sovereign care and commit your day to serving Him.
Sing Psalm 46.4-11.
(St. Chrysostom: We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought)
God’s everlasting, joyous grace gladdens the city where He dwells.
Safely in Him, we will not be moved; when morning dawns, His love will be proved.
Fears and distresses Jesus dispels for His beloved, chosen race.
Kingdoms arise and rage and roar, threat’ning the earth with sore distress.
Nations may fall, earth melt away, His Word is yet our hope and stay.
God is among us, ever to bless; He is our stronghold evermore.
Come see the works of God’s Right Hand! He breaks the nations of the earth,
shatters their foolish weapons and pride, sets all their sinful strength aside.
Them He will show His infinite worth as they before His judgment stand.
Rest in the LORD and be at peace, all who are mired in sore travail.
Lift up our God, praise Jesus our Lord; proclaim to all the earth His Word!
God is our stronghold, never to fail; thus may our hope and joy increase!
T. M. and Susie Moore
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.
