Encouraged by the Thorn

Perhaps nothing in the Bible has started as much conversation, and as many arguments, as Paul's thorn in the flesh.  What was it?  Who gave it to him?  How did it effect Paul?  Most people see this passage for far less than it really is, and what it is is an encouragement to you and me!

So, to really dig down deep into this, let's take a look at what Paul said.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

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.

So, first things first, let's look at who Paul said sent this messenger.  He never said God sent it.  He said this was a messenger of Satan, sent to buffet him (some translations say harass).  In fact, if any translation says God put this thorn on Paul, I would recommend that you be very careful looking at that translation, if you ever use it again. 

The second thing we need to look at is what this "thorn" was.  Now, "Thorn in the flesh/side" was a Hebrew idiom, or saying, similar to what we would say today, regarding something being a "pain in the neck/butt."  You can see this in Numbers 33:55, Joshua 23:13, and Judges 2:3.  Now, if you were to say something was a, "pain in the neck" today, would you be referring to a literal pain, or figurative?  It's clearly not physical.  That's not what Paul was talking about.  In fact, if you look back a few verses, he told us exactly what the thorn was!

2 Corinthians 11:

24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ injourneys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— ²⁸ besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

That's what the thorn was he was referring to!  It wasn't sickness, and it sure wasn't disease.

Now, for the exciting part.

In verses 8 and 9 of chapter 12, Paul writes this.

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.” 

Now, the word "grace" there is the Greek word "charis", which means a supernatural empowerment or enabling.  How does this change the meaning of this verse?

Paul said, (and I'm paraphrasing), "I asked the Lord three times to take this away from me.  He said, "I've already done everything about this issue that I'm going to do.  Use the supernatural empowerment (grace) I've given you to get rid of it, so you can show off just how strong I am!"

How awesome is that?  Jesus didn't tell him no-He said, "USE THE GRACE I'VE GIVEN YOU!"

So, be encouraged!  No matter what's going on in your life, don't ask God to take it away-use the Grace to remove it, and give the glory to God!  He loves to show off for His children.  Proverbs tells us that the "eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards Him."

This is an active thing with God.  He's constantly looking for another way to show off in your life.  Use the grace He's given you, and let Him do just that.