What was Paul’s “Thorn in the flesh?” No one is really sure. Maybe the Holy Spirit has purposefully left it vague in order to make it easier for us to fill in the blank with our own thorn. WHAT IS YOUR THORN? What have you begged God to change, to heal, to take away? Is is a sickness you have pleaded and pleaded with God to remove, but he hasn’t …at least, not yet? Have you learned that the weaker you are, the more you need to lean on God? Paul said, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take away” my thorn. He didn’t just pray for help, he pleads for it, begging repeatedly. And what was God’s response to His most faithful and trusted servant? “MY GRACIOUS FAVOR IS ALL YOU NEED. MY POWER WORKS BEST IN YOUR WEAKNESS.”
You know what; in the midst of his suffering and God saying “NO” to his prayer, Paul continues to preach about the goodness of God, and the power of God. Friend, Paul still has the thorn, but it never prevents him from glorifying God. AMAZING! Anybody can say they are happy when the birds are singing and the sky is blue and the bills are paid. But when tragedy hits you, can you still give glory to God? It’s great to praise God for miracles. But let’s not forget to praise Him even when He says “NO!”
by Corville Peters
