05/31/2026
We seem to make it a practice of our lives to hide our weaknesses. Paul is writing about what he called a “thorn in his flesh.” We don’t know what his thorn was, but he definitely didn’t like it. “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. (2 Corinthians 12:7–8, NIV, https://ref.ly/2Co12.7-8;niv2011) Paul says it was given to him. He calls it a messenger from Satan. It tormented him. But look at the why, in order to keep him from being conceited. Paul was a church planter, he worked and walked with people into the new type of relationship people were coming into with God through faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, for an eternity with God that begins in this life you and I are living. Paul was on the cutting edge of this new type of relationship and living with God. He was also key leader and a model for leaders to follow. He checked in with the 11 other apostles, verifying with them his calling and his testimony about Jesus. He checked in with them and argued his understanding, winning them over on matters of the law and the prescriptions for things like circumcising the new Christians to observe the old law, so new believers were not burdened with observing the law of the Jews. He wrote so many letters to the churches that became part of our New Testament. He could have become conceited. His list of troubles that God overcame through him is long and dangerous. Bitten by a serpent and survived( I don’t recommend that!), shipwrecked, mobbed, and run out of town so many times.
If this guy was given a thorn in the flesh, to keep him from becoming conceited, why do we stiffen our necks at the thorns we receive? Paul had good reason for the thorn in his flesh, but we do too. Not always because we have done the impressive things Paul had, but simply because we are human. Speak to Jesus about them. Ask Him for relief from them. But if no relief comes, then adopt Paul’s attitude towards it. Jesus power is made perfect in our weakness.
Follow Jesus to church today, ours is at 10 am at 114 W. 3rd St. in Erie Kansas. Come to the double doors on the west side of the building, dress is casual, we will have some refreshments, so come a little early.
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
