Daily Archive

2 Corinthians 12: 7b there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Most read this passage and assume that Paul is referring to a physical ailment, but according to Isaiah 53:5 and Paul’s unbending faith, Paul would have been healed.

Instead, Paul is referring to weaknesses of the flesh. Those addictions, habits, or tendencies that we pray that God would just remove our desire toward them. But rather, God says He extends grace to those of us ready to overcome and never be deterred by that thorn again. And, we learn that we cannot overcome by will power, but that in our weakness, we choose instead to magnify Christ and we defeat our thorn continuously through God’s power.

Therefore, take pleasure in having the opportunity to defeat the enemy through your obedience to God and reliance on Him.