THE THORN EXPERIENCE

06 Nov THE THORN EXPERIENCE

In churches across the world, one of the most highly quoted person from the bible is the Apostle Paul. Most people can tell you the highlights of his life including his persecution of Christians, his transformation after his Damascus road experience, the fact that he was imprisoned multiple times, and that he started many of the early Christian churches. They can even tell you about how he and Silas sang songs in prison and God opened the prison doors on their behalf. And of course, most people can tell you that Paul had a thorn, some issue, and some situation that caused him great despair. And that God saw fit to let him bear it. Let’s park there for a minute. Let’s consider…THE THORN EXPERIENCE.

What is it that we really know about Paul’s thorn? Some suggest that it was a disease of the eyes or the stomach. Others say that it could have been a condition that caused him to have seizures. While we may not know what Paul’s thorn was, there are some things about it that we do know.
First and foremost, we know from 2 Corinthians 12:7 that Paul’s thorn, though a messenger of Satan, was actually a tool of God used to keep Paul from becoming conceited. Yes, my friends, the Lord God Almighty used a messenger of Satan to accomplish a goal in Paul’s life.

We know that Paul, being the mighty man of God that he was, prayed to the Lord at least three times for God to remove the thorn.

We know that the Lord did not remove Paul’s thorn, but rather, He extended sufficient grace to Paul for completion of his divine assignment.

You’re probably wondering, “What does Paul’s thorn have to do with my life?” Well, I’m so glad you ASKED!!!

From Paul’s Thorn experience, we get a glimpse into the very mind and personality of God Himself. We can see from Paul’s experience both the Lord’s work ethic as well as His ability to plan for the future of his church.

God’s expectation of SERVICE: From Paul’s experience we see that God never, EVER excuses Paul from his calling and divine assignment because of the thorn that he bore.

God’s prioritizes HUMILITY: It was more important to God that Paul remained humble. It was so important in fact, that God commissioned a satanic agent to accomplish the task. It was more important to God that Paul is humble over being delivered.

God’s continued WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE one for the needs of the many: God allowed Paul to bear a thorn much like He allowed his son Jesus to bear the cross. What if we didn’t have Paul’s Thorn Experience to encourage us today? How many people would never know about God’s grace?

God’s all encompassing GRACE for the future: Have you ever wondered why Paul’s thorn is never specified?

I submit to you that this was all a part of God’s grand design to make sure that grace would forever be all-covering and all encompassing. Had Paul’s thorn been revealed, we would have relegated grace to that and only that and not to all the areas of our lives where grace needs to be applied.

What is your thorn?
Who is your thorn?
Whoever, or whatever your thorn is, know this… God’s Grace Is Sufficient!!!

Think On These Things…