A Thorn In My Flesh

…or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Regardless of our own health or age, or the ages and health of those we love – God is firmly in control. He set a time for us to live to our appointed time. Until that appointed time is up our job is to witness to His goodness, grace, and glory.

Paul had asked for the “thorn in the flesh” to be removed from him. His request was flatly turned down by God. God’s will made Paul’s faith stronger. And so, regardless of the circumstances, God will act through us, to His glory.

As we pour out our hearts to God, let’s be even more concerned with seeking His will than we are with receiving the answer we want. That’s where the grace and the strength come from.

We pray not to obtain our will in heaven,

but to effect God’s will on earth.

Our Daily Bread – November 30, 2012