Daily Devotional
March 27
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Cor 12:7-9 (KJV)
Some people teach that Paul’s thorn is from the Lord because of the word exalted, but that is not so. There are a number of times that God says we will be exalted by Him (1 Peter 5:6; Psalms 37:34, 92:10; Matthew 23:12), so it is not God that doesn’t want Paul to be exalted. This “thorn in the flesh” that Paul had, was not any disease or sickness, but as it says, it was “the messenger of Satan” that came against him. Satan was trying to slow Paul down by stirring up opposition against him, everywhere he went.
Notice that God told Paul that he was not exempt from persecution of the devil, but that God would give him the ability to handle it. We are not granted freedom from the evil deeds of the devil (2 Timothy 3:12), but given the strength to come through anything he throws at us.
Paul’s use of the word “infirmities” has led some to believe this means he had a disease or sickness, but that is not what Paul is saying. Paul listed what he called his infirmities, and none of them include sickness (2 Corinthians 11:23-30), and Paul used this word to describe his hardships when preaching the Gospel of Christ. Paul said he would glory in his infirmities gladly, as when he was weak then Christ was strong through him (2 Corinthians 12:10). We, who are born again in the Lord, should not regret our hardships that come with serving the Lord, as He will more then compensate us for anything we suffer for Him. Praise God for His care for His children.
Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com
**Daily Devotional**
**March 27**
*7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Cor 12:7-9 (KJV)*
Some people teach that Paul’s thorn is from the Lord because of the word exalted, but that is not so. There are a number of times that God says we will be exalted by Him (1 Peter 5:6; Psalms 37:34, 92:10; Matthew 23:12), so it is not God that doesn’t want Paul to be exalted. This “thorn in the flesh” that Paul had, was not any disease or sickness, but as it says, it was “the messenger of Satan” that came against him. Satan was trying to slow Paul down by stirring up opposition against him, everywhere he went.
Notice that God told Paul that he was not exempt from persecution of the devil, but that God would give him the ability to handle it. We are not granted freedom from the evil deeds of the devil (2 Timothy 3:12), but given the strength to come through anything he throws at us.
Paul’s use of the word “infirmities” has led some to believe this means he had a disease or sickness, but that is not what Paul is saying. Paul listed what he called his infirmities, and none of them include sickness (2 Corinthians 11:23-30), and Paul used this word to describe his hardships when preaching the Gospel of Christ. Paul said he would glory in his infirmities gladly, as when he was weak then Christ was strong through him (2 Corinthians 12:10). We, who are born again in the Lord, should not regret our hardships that come with serving the Lord, as He will more then compensate us for anything we suffer for Him. Praise God for His care for His children.
Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com
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