2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NKJV)
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 [a]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.
Paul was spiritually blessed by God abundantly, revelations that most us didn't know, but was given to Paul for God's purpose.
Going back to verse 2, We read God's revelation to Paul, Paul knew a man in Christ that was caught up in third heaven (paradise) and heard unspeakable words which
conceited = excessively proud of oneself. Full of Pride.
"thorn in the flesh" = a metaphor used by Paul to describe his affliction (Pain or Suffering), the bible is silent about the nature of Paul's affliction, but some believed to be a type of rare eye disease that caused his appearance to look deformed. The daily pain was so intense, it was like an ongoing crucifixion.
messenger of Satan = Just as in the Old testament God allow Satan to afflict Job, nevertheless Satan wants Paul to be discouraged in God's work and to live a life independently from God.
God is not the author of pain and sufferings, It is not part of God's nature.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
God's always able to help us in time of our need, He makes the impossible possible.
God can work/use us mightily if we acknowledge our weaknesses.
What is grace?
Undeserved/Unmerited favor, gift, not earned but freely given.
Synonyms: merciful, compassionate, kind;
God is gracious, part of His character.
Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Psalm 116:5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;our God is full of compassion.
(The greatest grace) Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
Life Application:
1. He wants us to be humble always no matter how blessed we are today and in the future. He wants us to acknowledge Him
always as the source and the giver of every spiritual and material blessing.
James 4:6 ESV
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
2. God sees our hearts and our future (God is sovereign) and God wants us not to depend on our own
Abilities, Skills, talents, money and other resources but to trust/depend in him who is the source of all things.
Whatever blessings we have today is because of His grace, His loving kindness, and His tender mercies.
Illustration:
Poor Sermon
Charles Spurgeon, known as "the prince of preachers," felt he delivered his sermon so poorly one Sunday that he was ashamed of himself. As he walked away from his church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, he wondered how any good could come from that message. When he arrived home, he dropped to his knees and prayed, “Lord God, You can do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon.”
In the months that followed, 41 people said that they had decided to trust Christ as Savior because of that “weak” message. The following Sunday, to make up for his previous “failure,” Spurgeon had prepared a “great” sermon—but no one responded.
Spurgeon’s experience underscores two important lessons for all who serve the Lord. First, we need the blessing of God on our efforts. Solomon said in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” And second, our weakness is an occasion for the working of God’s power. The apostle Paul said, “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” (2 Cor. 12:10).
3. Through out the bible God chooses the the weak, the helpless, the poor and nobodies to display his power and grace.
David a little boy, defeated the warrior giant Goliath.
Gideon came from a poor family and the least from the household, but God choose Gideon to defeat the Midianites.
Gideon, was considered the greatest Judge, in courage, in wisdom, and in faith in God.
Illustration:
God Chooses Nobodies - Oswald Chambers
God can achieve his purpose either through the absence of human power and resources, or the abandonment of reliance on them. All through history God has chosen and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on him made possible the unique display of his power and grace. He chose and used somebodies only when they renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources.
