Thorny Branches… Where Roses Bloom!
2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me – to keep me from exalting myself!
Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore…
I am well content with weakness, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12: 10)
Paul probably wouldn’t be today’s Super Star of the Church. No no, we want to SEE POWER! We want to see every mountain moved, every demon defeated and sent back to hell, every person fixed and fitted with ROBES OF SUCCESS.
We look at others with the eyes of a critic, looking for their flaws because we fancy ourselves as the hammer God uses to POUND the flesh into silver. I don’t know about you, but I have never seen God’s Scripture asking us for our help in molding His possession (His “fearfully and wonderfully made” possession) into our version of art.
We consider weakness, or sickness, or being attacked by the enemy, a FLAW… something we have done wrong that needs to be corrected before we can SHINE for God.
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations… To look at Paul and his life for Christ, one might assume the poor fellow needed more FAITH to declare himself healed. One might dare to advise him to find a renowned HEALER to pray over him. In today’s world, I daresay we would not lift him up as an apostle. He just would not be pretty enough! But, in God’s employment, Paul was shown unbelievable revelations about God – His way, His will, His kingdom… His heart!
When you look at things happening in your life, especially the ugly things happening, do you ever view them as the results of BEING A DISCIPLE of Christ? Do you gladly suffer for Christ if indeed this thing, this event, is and will bring you closer to your Lord and Savior? Would you gladly give up your health, wealth and wisdom to be GRACED by Christ? Would you walk with Him and beside Him on Holy Ground made so by His presence in your life?
I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me… implored!!!! Today Paul might be told he hasn’t prayed hard enough… or said the right words… or taken the authority over all things unacceptable in his life.
2 Corinthians 11:23 – 26 –far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews (his peers) thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, dangers from robbers, danger from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers i the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
There is not a doubt in my mind that Paul knew HOW TO PRAY and PRAYED UNCEASINGLY… under circumstances we would never have the courage and stamina begin much less continue a walk that entailed such things as regular occurrences!
It is natural to want an end to suffering. It is normal to cry out in pain. It is absolutely righteous to ask plead for mercy and help and healing. It is the heart of a child to run to his/her Abba for comfort!
But what if Abba says… “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Do you TRUST your Daddy? Do you believe He loves you even when He doesn’t do things your way, in your time? Do you know… BEYOND A SHADOW OF DOUBT… that God – your Father – is for you and not against you? Do you walk so close to Him in your garden of prayer that you hear not just His words but you hear His heart and feel His hand in yours?
Paul was so sure of Him… so convinced of His presence in him… so dependent upon God that he BELIEVED! And he lived his belief… I am well content with weakness, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake.
Contentment doesn’t come easily. Trust doesn’t immerse itself in a puddle, it needs the full ocean of experience to prove its foundation is built upon the Rock and not upon the sinking sand of healthy, wealthy and wise games of pretending. Contentment produces the blooms with the sweetest fragrance of courage which whispers the words… when I am weak, then I am strong.
“Most gladly, therefore, I will rather BOAST about my weaknesses, So THAT… the power of Christ may dwell in me!” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
No, Paul would not LOOK the part of the pastors and prophets of today… but then… neither did Jesus!
Isaiah 53:2-3 He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken o men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried;… He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
Paul didn’t look at Jesus and see his ticket to fame and fortune. Paul didn’t entertain the notion that Jesus did all the hard work so I can build my kingdom with all the easy stuff. Paul didn’t set his mind on earthly things, he set his mind and body and soul on God and God’s call on his life. Paul saw Jesus and said, “I want to be JUST LIKE HIM!”
Paul knew it was not something that he could do for himself. Paul knew that, where there were thorns his life, he needed the Master Gardner… Paul knew he had no power of his own, no authority to declare himself healed, and no desire to be the hammer molding his own life into art.
Paul knew… he/we can do all things through Him who strengthens me ( Philippians 4:13)
When thorns beset us… don’t listen to the foolishness of unbelief. Look to One who made the thorns and the roses that bloom on the same stem…
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
God is good all the time and all the time God is good! Trust Him!
In the midst of the thorns, look for the roses! God is growing a field of them in you!
**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible