September 2024
Thorn in the Flesh
Have you ever had a problem that caused you great difficulty? Well, that is a wrong question, we all have a “Problem” that continually causes us difficulty in our life. That problem is different for each person, and it is real, and it is always a major source of what grieves us. Saint Paul talks about his.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
St. Paul had a problem that he wanted to go away. It was something that gave him great difficulty. He prayed three times; what that means is he was continually praying that God would remove it, not just three times and he gave up on it. There are problems, issues, sickness throughout the world that have a direct impact on our (your) life. You may be suffering from a virus that started halfway around the world and now causes you harm. Maybe you have a bill that you are unable to pay, or your body will not allow you to do the things that have to be done and there is no one else to do them. In all, these things they are very real, and you find yourself crying out to God and saying, “really Lord, like I needed one more thing heaped on me, will You please take this away.”
St Paul reveals why the Lord allowed his problem to stay. So, why are our problems staying with us? What God said to Paul is the very words we need to hear, “My grace is sufficient,” but it’s the last thing you want to hear. Most likely this makes you angry, and right now you’re saying, “Pastor, this is not helping!” We often can see reasons or the flaws that other people have and think we understand why the Lord is allowing them to go through trials and tribulations, let’s face it, it’s for their own good, it will make them a better person, or something like that. If you tell someone this, you might end up with a black eye. Do you say that to yourself? Probably not.
Problems in our life do one thing, make us turn, rely, hope and trust in the Lord our God to save us. Think about it. If our lives had no problems whatsoever, we would turn from God and forget that we need him at all. We would trust in ourselves and say, “Who is God and why do I need Him at all?” You would lose salvation due to your sin. We would like to think that is not true. Let me ask you a question. When do you pray to God? You may say, I pray to Him all the time, -- this may be true, but it’s because He has been there in you bad times that you pray and thank Him now. If you had no bad times you would not pray. When times are good, you often don’t stop to give thanks or even pray. When bad times hit, you find yourself on your knees constantly. Be honest, you know I’m speaking the truth.
Romans 7:14-19
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Paul points out our problem clearly, yes sin. Dear God save me from myself. It grieves God the Father that we are our own worst enemy and he sent Christ Jesus to save us, and Jesus has fulfilled all that is needed and the Holy Spirit instills faith. Here’s the rub, we are still in a broken world, that wants us desperately to run from God to our own destruction and our sinful flesh wanting the same thing. To keep us from running, God often gives us things to keep us close until He brings the last day where he will remove all problems, and we will never be afflicted again. Do I like that, the problems, NO!!!!! But I know myself all too well and know I would forget why I need a Savior.
So, when we have a problem, turn to God and ask for it to be removed. Know this, it may remain, but also know that God will never leave you or forsake you. You are His own.
God bless you today and always,
Pastor Quick
