Why is it that I can’t shake off a certain nagging reminder of a particular weakness? I think it’s gone, then there it is again—like a tiny thorn in the flesh that’s not always visible, that’s not always ‘feelable’, but touched in just a certain way, I’m reminded that it’s still there. Very much there, and very, very bothersome.
II Corinthians 12:7-10—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.
A thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan. Satan—he wanted Paul discouraged, and he wants me discouraged and reminded of my particular weakness. My flesh—my own inclinations and desires. A thorn—generally found in that which has benefit or beauty. I think of thorns among the roses. God has blessed me with a grandiflora of roses along life's way, but by human nature there are also thorns that keep reminding me to be careful among the blessings and benefits of life.
Why? For one reason, as Paul said, it's to keep us from becoming conceited. Being a doer kind of person, I can very easily forget that the reason for the roses is God’s doing and not my own. Not only is it often difficult (most often difficult) for me to handle adversities or offenses, it’s also difficult for me to handle blessings (the roses) because I tend to use them for beautifying my own vista. More specifically, the thought I’ve been mulling over is that God wants to keep me from crediting myself with the presence of the blessing.
God wants me to show and give all glory to Him, not to myself. I hope (and where would we be without hope? That's what Satan wants to discourage.) that the next time that prickly thorn reminds me of my weakness that I’ll be content in knowing that God is wanting to keep me from being conceited—so that I can show His strength and His glory through my weakness; none of me. He wants me to be merely an instrument in His hands.
II Corinthians 12:7-10—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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Painting ~ Watering the Garden 1912, Daniel Ridgway Knight 1839-1924
Wikimedia Commons public domain
