How often we whine “I can’t take it anymore.” How often we catch ourselves expressing frustration over the smallest trial. How often we overstate our problems and underestimate God’s promise to enable us to bear up under the trial or weakness. The apostle Paul received tremendous assurance from the daily text after a time of prayer that seemed to go unanswered. He was dealing with his “thorn in the flesh.” Much speculation has been made regarding the nature of this thorn, with a variety of interpretations offered. However Paul simply chose not to disclose the details, although it’s likely his original readers would have already known, due to their personal association with Paul. Many commentators believe he was referring to a recurring physical affliction. George Swinnock wrote, “SANCTIFIED SICKNESS IS FAR BETTER THAN UNSANCTIFIED SOUNDNESS . Warren Wiersbe observes, “God did not give Paul any explanations; instead, He gave him a PROMISE: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’ We do not live on explanations; we live on promises. Our feelings change, but GODS PROMISES NEVER CHANGE. PROMISE GENERATES FAITH, and FAITH STRENGTHENS HOPE. Paul claimed God’s promise and drew on the grace that was offered to him; this turned seeming TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH. GOD DID NOT CHANGE THE SITUATION BY REMOVING THE AFFLICTION ; HE CHANGED IT BY ADDING A NEW INGREDIENT : GRACE This verse of assurance has brought comfort to countless believers through the church age. We generally interpret the thorn to be representative of a trial. I consider the lack of specific identity by Paul regarding the nature of his thorn to be a part of God’s design. For our trials truly take on many forms and God’s grace is sufficient for each of them! Do you have a “thorn in the flesh?” God’s grace is absolutely sufficient to sustain you through the trial at hand. Paul kept his faith and so can you and can we. In fact YOU WILL BE STRONGER AS A RESULT OF ENDURING THIS TRIAL AND GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED THROUGH THE ENDURANCE. One Poem goes this way: When the questions of life go unanswered, When there’s none that respond to your plea, There’s an echo that keeps on resounding, My grace is sufficient for thee. Let us offer our praises to Jesus Till in heaven His presence we see. Never failing to trust in the promise, “My grace is sufficient for thee”. * Be encouraged today! When you think you can’t take much more, remember the Apostle Pauls example of God’s sufficient grace.. AMEN, ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 07:19:39 +0000
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