God’s Deepest Work
Concerning this [thorn] I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2 Corinthians 12:8
One of the most profound insights the apostle Paul had may have been the result of some people who were making life difficult for him. There were false apostles at Corinth who sought to discredit Paul’s ministry. Some scholars believe these were the “thorn in the flesh” Paul asked God to remove from him (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). He was in danger of pride over the divine revelations he had received (12:1-7). The “false apostles” (11:13-15) attacking him may have been God’s method to keep Paul humble.
Whether Paul’s thorn was people or circumstances, the situation caused Paul to realize that in his weakness Christ was his sufficiency (12:9-10). And who doesn’t need to gain that insight and be reminded of it over and over? The truth is, God often does His deepest work in us through the people and circumstances in our life. Instead of resisting or rebelling against people and problems, we might want to pray, “Lord, show me what I can learn and how I can grow in You.”
View life providentially. Let God use every person and problem to continue conforming you to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
God’s grace is sufficient for us anywhere His providence places us.
Unknown
Turning Point Ministries
Concerning this [thorn] I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2 Corinthians 12:8
One of the most profound insights the apostle Paul had may have been the result of some people who were making life difficult for him. There were false apostles at Corinth who sought to discredit Paul’s ministry. Some scholars believe these were the “thorn in the flesh” Paul asked God to remove from him (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). He was in danger of pride over the divine revelations he had received (12:1-7). The “false apostles” (11:13-15) attacking him may have been God’s method to keep Paul humble.
Whether Paul’s thorn was people or circumstances, the situation caused Paul to realize that in his weakness Christ was his sufficiency (12:9-10). And who doesn’t need to gain that insight and be reminded of it over and over? The truth is, God often does His deepest work in us through the people and circumstances in our life. Instead of resisting or rebelling against people and problems, we might want to pray, “Lord, show me what I can learn and how I can grow in You.”
View life providentially. Let God use every person and problem to continue conforming you to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
God’s grace is sufficient for us anywhere His providence places us.
Unknown
Turning Point Ministries
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