February 20, 2025
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Reading along with us in Deuteronomy and Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Corinthians 12 (NIV)
Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.……Continue Reading
2CORINTHIANS 12
Such an important concept to try to daily live out the idea that we must become less so He can become more. Our pride immediately wants to take credit when we show any talent, skill, prosperity, or success. The reality is that we only have what He gives and we only are what He has made us to be. His grace is sufficient for us, means it isn’t just enough to get through, but rather ALL we need to live. He has done the work that our lives may become a living sacrifice to that work in order to bring glory to Him. So there should be no boasting in ourselves but rather thanksgiving for all He accomplishes through us.
To be in the presence of the living throne of God. There are no words to express as a human being. To think of a thorn in Paul’s side back then. A thorn back then probably 4-5” extremely debilitating A constant reminder to Paul. The work he was doing was not of his own but God working through him. Our weakness develops our Christian character. Deepens our worship. Keeping our focus where it needs to be. For Paul to care as much as he does to write to this extent. To people who are swaying back and forth Most would have washed their hands. But he is planning his 3rd trip to combat those that have fallen back. Is there any man ever like Paul?
2nd Corinthians twelve –
Paul describes how fourteen years ago, he was caught up to Heaven. He doesn`t know if it was in body or not; but he saw visions. God revealed much to him, some that he couldn`t talk about. He even states that a thorn in his flesh was given him so he wouldn`t become proud. The messenger of Satan to buffet him. Paul was already very knowable of scripture so with this added revelation, God was concerned that Paul would become proud. There are many thoughts on what this thorn was that was given him. I heard someone say that it was a person. But I don`t believe that would be it for there were as stated false teachers. I don`t think that would hinder him in the flesh. Neither do I believe it would be any of the trials and sufferings that he went through including coming close to death. It had to be something personal to him. I believe that it was his eye sight for in Gal. 6;11 he states how large his writing was and with his own hand. Gal. 6:11{Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.} Also implying that others wrote for him at times while he spoke. We know that when he first came to Christ that the Lord blinded him and then was led to a believer whose name was Ananias who healed Paul. Acts 9. But there is nothing stopping God from latter on causing some vision problem. This would in fact keep Paul humble for he had to rely on others to write for him, and maybe guide him depending on how bad his vision was. This would also make him more willing to trust in the Lord for all his needs. It might have been hard to read so he spent more time in prayer, singing, and telling others about Christ. As it says in 2 Cor. 12:9 {And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.} Often times God allows something in our lives to rely on His strength alone. When we can`t do something or have made a mess of things; He is right there to help us through it. We need Him to work it out. Sometimes it is better to be quiet and let Him work it out. Not quiet in praying to Him for whatever the situation. Pray for all the hearts that are involved. May the Lord bless us as we desire to walk with Him and become like Him.
God gives us everything we need to live and grow and thrive and achieve his purpose. So, when we do so, we give HIM thanks and praise and gratitude. To HIM deserve all the glory! Because of this, despite our weaknesses, we can do great things for the Lord. So, we must never let our human limitations keep us from taking action to do something that God guides and directs us to do. So set goals, strive toward excellence, but live a life full of joy and do those things that God has purposed you to do regardless of your skill level. Don’t be afraid of failure. If God is with you, you will be successful even if you think it went badly. God is working all things out regardless of what we think the outcome should be!
2 Corinthians 12
2 Corinthians 12
Paul dealt with the good, the bad and the ugly in the context of his ministry. How truly incredible, as already noted, it would be as a human being to experience the presence of God. And yet then to bear a thorn to reenforce his dependence on God and the importance of humility regardless of what privileges he had received. God never promised us a rose garden, but He did promise that His grace would be sufficient, not in the sense of just enough, but in the sense of it being all we need. How important that is to remember when we suffer challenges and trials. And the great truth is that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. So when we are weakest, we really are at our best, because it is in those times where the power of God on us and through us is more evident. And how dedicated he was to these Corinthians when they were not very dedicated to him. He so desired, as we all should, to represent Christ well and not to be a burden to them, but also not be belittled by them either. That would neither be true or helpful as Paul recognized how important maintaining some level of respect for himself would allow him to have more influence on them. And yet his great desire is that they would be righteous and be the kind of people God desired them to be.
”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.“
II Corinthians 12:7 NKJV
Yikes, I would not want to suffer all that Paul suffered for the Lord! Then again, he was used mightily by God to spread His Kingdom. And given special revelation. God gives him a thorn to keep him humble.
2 CORINTHIANS 12