Discovery: Paul says in v. 8: "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me." Paul is speaking of this mysterious "thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan." Whatever it was, it is clearly something that Paul agonized over and fought with. He says that this thorn in the flesh "tormented" him. This word torment literally means, "to strike with the fist or to beat." Paul was being beat down and struck down by this mysterious thing and all he could do was call out to God and do so repeatedly.
We don't know how long Paul called out to God but we do know it took him three times before he received an answer from the Lord. I can't even begin to explain how this feels like the story of my life. To call out to God and to not initially hear anything back in return. It is frustrating and often demoralizing experience.
Application: And yet the response of God always come... just not in the ways that we expect or hope. In v. 9 God's response to Paul is this: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God is not suggesting this to Paul (or to us) as a possible solution: He is stating a reality. God's grace is sufficient and his power is somehow magnified and exemplified in our moments of weakness.
These "thorns in the flesh" are realities of life. They are often used by Satan to undo or harm us. But the good news is that whatever Satan intends for harm, God intends for good. How else can you explain the heart of a mature Christian who is able to draw good things out of terrible circumstances. Its because they see the hand of God in their lives.
I also strikes me that these "God-moments" in which we are weak and calling out to Him happen all the time. In fact, it seems like His love, power, and presence takes on new significance whenever we are down and out. God's "sufficient grace" is truly amazing during those times.
Finally, I realize that like Paul my expectations are not always in line with God's will. My reaction to pain and difficulty is to simply ask God to take it away. When He doesn't, my sinfulness comes out in full force. I fail to see that God is desiring to show Himself to me even in those difficult times. In fact, He is trying to show me the full extent of His power and majesty in those moments of personal weakness. I just fail to see that when I am looking for the easy way out.
Prayer: Lord, help me this week look for those God-moments in which I am weak and in need of your sufficient grace. I pray that you would show me Your glory and Your strength to me throughout this busy and hectic upcoming week.
