Paul was one of God’s most faithful servants. So, why would God allow a trial in his life that was so difficult he called it “a thorn in the flesh”? And Paul is not the only one who has struggled with a trial that could be called a thorn in the flesh. “Thorns” may be physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual but they hurt and they can make life hard. So, why would God allow such a thorn in Paul’s life? And why does He allow difficult trials in our lives?
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 33 & 34; Psalm 109.1-5; Proverbs 25.25-26; 2 Corinthians 12.1-21
5 Reasons for Your Trial
2 Corinthians 12.1-21:
My Grace is Sufficient
After talking about an incredible revelation God had given him, a vision of the “third heaven,” Paul said this about a difficult trial in his life. Verses 7-10:
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The things Paul had seen were so incredible and the revelations God had given him were so important to the church and future generations, that God gave him a trial, a “thorn in the flesh” to help him keep his feet on the ground. It would also help him stay dependent on God and not his own abilities.
But why would God allow painful trials in our lives?
5 Reasons God Allows Painful Trials in Our Lives:
1. To reveal our spiritual maturity (or lack of).
Nothing tests our character or helps us grow in spiritual maturity like tests and trials (Jas. 1.2-5). It’s easy to claim faith in God and change in us when life is easy, but when our faith is tested, we may find there are areas where we’re trusting in something other than Christ.
2. To humble us (v. 7).
None of us is immune to pride. Pride is not something Paul was tempted with or maybe you are, but not me. Pride is something with which we all struggle. It’s just a matter of how and where it shows up. Tests and trials help keep us real.
3. To draw us to Himself (v. 8).
Paul “pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from [him].” It’s easy to get lackadaisical about our time with the Lord when things are going well, but when times get tough, believers run to their Father.
4. To display His grace (v. 9a).
When we bring our troubles to the Lord, we want Him to simply remove them. Paul did, too. But often, God’s answer is to give us the grace to walk through them, instead. He teaches us to apply His Word to specific situations and grows us in faith and trust in Him. Through it all, God does what only He can do, especially in us.
5. To perfect His power (v. 9b).
When we see our own weakness and cry out to Him, God’s power can work in and through us in amazing ways. Suffering and hardship remove the dross of self-sufficiency, selfishness, and pride and make us purer channels for God’s power.
When I Am Weak
When Paul recognized God’s purpose in his trials, he could proclaim, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
If we stay focused on how much we dislike the trial or get into self-pity and a why-me attitude, we miss what God wants to do in and through us. But when we surrender our pain and suffering to Him, admit our weakness, and rely on His strength and wisdom, He does great things.
Just a note about verse 4: Paul said when he was taken up into heaven, he heard, “inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” If the great Apostle was not permitted to share what he saw of heaven, it certainly should make us question the claims of others who say they did and have come back to tell us all about it.
Whether it’s our own experiences or the claims of others, we always need to filter them through the lens of Scripture.
Today’s Other Readings:
Isaiah 33 & 34:
God’s Provision for the Faithful
Chapter 33.15-16 says:
15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
He who despises the gain of oppressions,
Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,
Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
And shuts his eyes from seeing evil.
16 He will dwell on high;
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
Bread will be given him,
His water will be sure.
Once again we see that in the midst of God’s pronouncements of judgment, He makes provision for those who remain faithful.
Psalm 109.1-5:
Responding to Those Who Hurt Us
In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer (v. 4).
In this life, we will experience troubles and persecution. But we are not to give up (Lk. 18.1), turn bitter (Heb. 12.15), or return evil for evil (Rom. 12.17). Instead, we are to pray even for those who hurt or reject us!
Proverbs 25.25-26:
A Righteous Man Who Falters
A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well (v. 26).
We are to be light shining out into a dark world (Phil. 2.15). That means we are to live and act differently from the rest of the world. If we act like unbelievers, it’s often all the excuse they need to reject the most important thing we have to offer—the gospel.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we will look at legalism and grace, biblical prosperity and the prosperity doctrine, talk about freedom, bondage, and co-dependency, and discuss the all-important question, “Is your faith genuine?”
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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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