Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Meditation verse:
“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” (2 Corinthians 12:7).
The exact nature of Paul’s infirmity is unknown. But whatever it was, it must have been uncomfortable because he pleaded with God on three occasions to take it away. He seemed desperate to get rid of. When God in His infinite wisdom refused Paul’s appeal, he did not let the ‘thorn in his flesh’ prevent him from fulfilling his ministry. He recognized God as His true source of strength and knew he could depend on His power to remain effective and useful. By affirming God’s strength, he accepted the reality of his weakness and refused to let it stop him.
There may be situations or challenges or defects in your life that you have been praying for God to intervene, but these have lingered on for years. God in His sovereignty does not always answer us in the way we desire. He may sometimes permit an uncomfortable situation to remain in your life, to fulfil a particular purpose in His overall plan for your life. For Apostle Paul, it was to prevent him from being puffed up, since he was such an anointed servant of God. What is your thorn of flesh? An infirmity? A reproaching situation? Financial difficulty? A difficult spouse or child?
Whatever it is be rest assured that If God is permitting a difficult situation to remain in your life, He has already made His grace available to you for that situation. Grace is an enabler that propels you forward even in difficult situations; all you need do is appropriate His grace. And you appropriate God’s grace by repeatedly declaring His strength over that situation and walking in its consciousness by constantly declaring: “Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me, Your strength is here to help me in this situation. I depend on it over my weakness. I surrender my will to yours”.
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). As you continue speaking God’s word over that situation, you will be strengthened. Apostle Paul said he takes pleasure in needs, in persecutions and in distresses. Do not let the thorn in your flesh stop you from becoming all you were created for. “For when you are weak, then you are strong in the power of Christ”.
IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).
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