Bible Studies

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PLEASANT JOURNEY ON THORNS

Reference: ‘Holy Bible’-II Corinthians 12: verses (v):7-10

In this passage, Apostle Paul pleaded with Lord to take away a thorn (suffering) given in his flesh (v: 7, 8).Lord denied the request but strengthened Paul with HIS mighty word.

1. THORN IN FLESH:
Paul was given a thorn in his flesh (v: 7).Thorns indicate opposition, suffering, pain, humiliation, trial, hardship etc.Lord used Paul mightily to build HIS kingdom. Also Lord wonderfully removed thorns in many lives through Paul. But Lord allowed a thorn in Paul’s flesh to shape him better. In our lives too, Lord allows thorns to mould us so that we can be used mightily by HIM. Ministry is definitely a journey on thorns but Lord makes it pleasant by HIS mighty power.

2 .MESSENGER OF SATAN TO TORMENT:
The thorn in Paul’s flesh was a messenger of Satan to torment him (v: 7).Satan worked against Paul and tried to put a full stop to his faith, ministry etc.Satan is always very much irritated by ministry. So he attacks the servants of Lord with thorns. But the blood of Christ (which gushed out when a ‘crown of thorns’ was set on HIS head-Matthews 27:29) protects HIS servants forever. Although Lord permits the deeds of satan, HE has a perfect control on each thorn.

3. THORN FOR OUR GOOD:
Paul beautifully understood the reason for thorn in his flesh. As he said, Lord allowed that thorn to keep him from exalting above measure (v: 7).Lord can use only humble souls. Definitely thorns bring humility in heart. Satan plans to destruct the servants of Lord through thorns but our caring Almighty changes the evil (thorn to destruct) into good (thorn to shape us beautifully).So praise unto Lord for thorns.

4. A LESSON FROM PAUL’S PLEADING:
Paul very well knew the Lord’s purpose for the thorn in his flesh. But he pleaded three times with the Lord to take it away from him (v: 8).Paul endured great sufferings, hardships for the sake of HIS kingdom. He never questioned Lord for the torments he faced in the path of ministry but accepted joyfully. But here, he pleaded for a relief. It shows that the thorn tormented Paul greatly. In our lives too, thorns may torment greatly and sometimes it may be even unbearable. But learn to take the painful issue to Lord as Paul did and allow Almighty to decide over your thorns.

5. GRACE OF GOD IN THORNS:
Paul wanted the thorn to be removed but God desired to pour HIS grace and power in that thorn. Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (v: 9).Increase in thorns (or intensity of thorns) in our lives is directly proportional to the increase in the grace of God. Lord pours HIS grace and strength on HIS servant to bear the thorns. Grace of God is sufficient in all situations of our lives.

6 .PERFECTION OF LORD’S STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS:
Lord’s strength is made perfect in weakness(thorn)(v:9).Then Paul very clearly understood HIS will and boasted more gladly about his weaknesses so that Christ’s power might rest on him. So never fear for the thorns in the path of ministry but boast gladly for HIS strength is being made perfect in those thorns.

7. FOR CHRIST’S SAKE, DELIGHT:
So for Christ’s sake, Paul delighted in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties (v: 10).Delight is completely different from boasting. It is easy to boast (outward boasting) about the thorns in front of others. But delight is a high degree of pleasure which comes from the inner heart. For Christ’s sake, let us learn to delight and boast truly over the thorns.

8. DO NOT PRAY FOR THE FOURTH TIME:
After receiving the promise of Lord, Paul did not pray (for the fourth time) to take away the thorn. He simply relied on the promise of Lord and delighted over the thorn till his death. Satan always tries to take our eyes away from the promises of Lord, to put in downcast and to make us pray (for the fourth time) against HIS will. There is no use in pleading against HIS will. So be alert and resist the devil, standing firm in faith (I Peter 5:8, 9) till your last breath.

9. PRAYER, THE BREATH OF MINISTRY:
Paul was a mighty prayer warrior. The close communion with Lord helped Paul to rely HIS promise, to endure thorns and to delight over the thorns. So Paul wrote to Thessalonians, “Pray continually” (I Thessalonians 5:17).Let prayer become the breath of our ministry.

10. THORNLESS LAND:
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done, says the Lord (Revelation22:12).You will again see the distinction between those who serve God and those who do not, in the day of my second coming, says the Lord (Malachi3:18).The reward of Lord for HIS true servant (for every thorn) is awaiting in the thornless land (heaven).


WISHES IN JESUS NAME

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