Thorns

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure".                                        2 Corinthians 12:7.  NKJV

Thorns can be very painful if we are unlucky enough to have one pierce our skin. Some thorns are only small, but others can be very long. Jesus had a crown of these forced onto His head and they were probably the long ones. They would have pierced His scalp giving Him great pain and discomfort. Here, Paul was given a thorn in his flesh. Now this was not a physical one but something that was a messenger of Satan v7. It may have been an ailment, eye problem or some other medical condition. Whatever it was, it brought Paul great pain and torment and, despite asking Jesus three times to take this thorn away, Jesus wouldn't. He told Paul, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness' (v9). Therefore, Paul had to put up with this but, God gave him divine grace that was sufficient for Paul's needs. 

But why did this come about? Paul had been caught up in a vision some 14 years ago and he was taken into the third heaven. The first heaven refers to the earth's atmosphere; the second heaven is the area that includes the sun, moon, planets stars and galaxies. The third heaven is the dwelling place of God. Now even though Paul was speaking in the third person about a man this happened to, we know Paul was referring to himself because he was talking about boasting and weaknesses (v1). He was given special privilege to have a tour of heaven. He heard the language of heaven. He saw the inside workings of heaven and may have seen much, much more. It completely changed his life and gave call for him to boast about it when he came out of the vision. However, he didn't wish to do this but, to keep him from boasting, he was given this thorn in his flesh - a reminder not to boast about what he saw.

Speculation about this as been the topic of many theologians and church people over the years but, no-one really knows what the thorn may have been. It was painful and it brought him much torment but it was something Paul had to live with. It could have been anything but what we know, is that the Lord wanted to keep him humble bringing more glory to God. Paul didn't moan about this affliction, in fact, he boasted about it 'Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.' (v10).

If God gives you a thorn in the flesh, it is for your good. He loves you and wants the best for you. It has a purpose and it is a sign that He is forming you into the person He wants you to be. Many people of God - some well known leaders in the church - have been burdened with sickness or something else. It hasn't stopped them from performing their duty for Jesus. Don't let it stop you either. You are special to Jesus!

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen
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