
2 Corinthians 7b-10
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We never do find out the details of Paul's "thorn." He believes it to be straight from Satan, intended to "torment" him. The result is Paul feeling weakened, less than perfectly equipped to continue his work. But Paul realizes, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that God sees our weaknesses and provides us more strength at just those times. When we are imperfect (always) God provides all that we need. When we come to God, admitting our weaknesses, we are given what we need.
Holy Lord, I come to you this morning after reading these words. I am certainly imperfect in my humanness. There are times I want to give up those things that require so much strength from me. But I am forgetting the strength you have promised. Help me to remember to turn to you when I am overwhelmed. Amen
Becky, transforming
Wednesday, January 11th, 2022
2 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…
2 Corinthians 12:7b-10. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I feel that all the challenges I face in this life are similar to Paul’s…
2 Corinthians 7b-10
What a natural transition from idolatry is this reflection from Paul! When I see potential idols for what they are, I must recognize them as the influence of the evil one, thorns in my flesh. The reason not to despair and be confident in ultimate victory, even in the face of occasional failure, is the knowledge that at the pit of my weakness, God's strength is sufficient. My task is to be mindful, watchful and intently listen to God's voice telling me what earthly tools he has sent me to overcome the thorn. Angels in our midst, reading Scripture and other Christ-centered books and periodicals, websites of integrity, totally free of useless, ungodly bitterness, outright hate o…
2 Corinthians 12:7B– 10 As I read and reread this passage, weakness and strength became important to my understanding. Paul’s weakness and God’s grace and strength are key to its understanding. I was reminded of the song “just a closer walk. “ . I am weak but thou are strong……. I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk – let me walk close to Thee. Prayer: gracious God, no matter what my weakness is “let me walk close to thee each day. “Amen