Word of Encouragement (4/29/2021)

We don’t have the actual words of the prayer we are going to reflect on today; we only have Paul’s account of it in 2 Cor. 12:7-9: “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

This prayer of Paul’s is something we don't want to think about when we pray but cannot help thinking about with fear. Here, we have an account of God not answering a very reasonable prayer. Paul’s request was no small, flippant request. He calls it “a thorn... in the flesh,” which tormented him. We don't know what this thorn in the flesh was. Many think it was some kind of chronic illness. Others think it was someone who vehemently opposed and aggravated him terribly because he referred to it as “a messenger of Satan.” But it is hard to imagine that such a person could be with Paul all the time, who moved around so much. So, we cannot be sure. But we know that it tormented him enough to pray for its removal, not just once but there times. It must have been really bad for someone like Paul, who was used to all kinds of affliction, to pray in this way.

That is why we're devastated by God's answer: "My grace is sufficient for you." Isn't this the last thing we want to hear when we pray for something important to us? But let's analyze our response.

Let's first observe what God's response was. He was not simply saying no. He said, “y grace is sufficient for you.” God was reminding Paul that He had already given him grace, sufficient grace, in fact. How did Paul begin this passage? “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh...” (v. 7). You can hardly say that the grace given to Paul was wanting. It's like saying God was stingy to Adam and Eve because he told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil when He said just before that, “...you may surely eat of every tree in the garden, but...” (Gen. 2:16-17). What did Paul say about the grace we have received from God? “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...” (Eph. 1:3). Paul was a recipient of this, too!

God is not stingy at all with His grace. But that doesn't mean that God's grace will give us everything we desire. When God says His grace is sufficient, He's not saying that it is barely enough; rather, it means His grace provides everything necessary for the accomplishment of his good and gracious purpose for us. His ultimate purpose is to glorify Himself by making us perfect according to His glorious image.

Why did God not grant healing to Paul? Because God did not love him? Of course not! Paul says it was “to keep me from becoming conceited.” Was this worth the pain that the thorn in the flesh inflicted on Paul? Paul agreed and accepted God’s no with thankfulness. For there is no place for conceit in the kingdom of God’s grace. Conceit/pride cuts us off from the abundant riches of God’s grace: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). So then, one of the best things God can do for us is to keep us humble even if it involves “a thorn in the flesh.”

Let us not be afraid to pray. If God says “Yes,” praise Him. If God says “Wait,” wait with patience for His perfect timing. If God says, “No,” praise Him still because He is saying that for our good (though it may be difficult at the beginning)! Under His sovereign grace, we cannot lose!