◄ What Does 2 Corinthians 12:9 Mean? ►

Paul was doing a great work for the Lord, but God knows the heart of all men and He knew that Paul could become puffed up with pride due to the great revelations that God was giving to the Church through him. The mysteries that Paul was being shown, had been kept hidden for ages and generations but now were being revealed to the saints of God, through Paul. No wonder the Lord gave Paul a thorn in the flesh, which caused him to be tried, tested, beaten, and buffeted to the extreme of his endurance.

We do not know the exact nature of Paul's 'thorn', but we do know that in addition to this satanic 'messenger' God permitted His bond-servant to experience significant suffering, dangers, hardship, and rejection. But in the midst of all this trouble, the Lord gave Paul a message that has been a comfort to countless saints, down through the ages: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

Paul repeatedly pleaded with the Lord to have this thorn in his flesh removed, but the reply he received from the Lord Jesus was very different from the answer he had expected. Paul was told that although the Lord would not remove this thorn in the flesh, he would be given God's grace to bear it.

Paul was not only able to rejoice in his sufferings, but was enabled to glorify in them as well: "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

What a great testimony to the grace of God and the power of Christ, which is made perfect in our weaknesses. No matter what you and I are facing and no matter what tests and trials we may be required to face, we have God's full assurance that His grace is sufficient for all eventualities that may come our say.

May we like Paul be able to boast all the more gladly in our own weaknesses and frailty so that the power of Christ may rest upon us - to the praise of His name. Hallelujah! Amen!

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your grace is sufficient for all my needs. Help me to recognise and rejoice in the knowledge that Your power is made perfect in my own weakness. Help me to boast all the more gladly in my inabilities so that Your great ability may be manifest in my life. May everything I do be to Your praise and glory, my Lord and my God. In Jesus' name, AMEN.