Daily Diary April 16th 2016

The Fleshly Thorn

As we go through life we face many trials and difficulties.  I have learned that most people have one major “Thorn” that they deal with repeatedly.  This thorn is in our flesh and will often remind us that we need a savior.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 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. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Question:  What’s Your Thorn?

I believe our “Thorns” are often gathered from our past experiences where we have consumed anger, jealousy, envy and other works of the flesh.  It takes the love and grace of God to remove them from our lives, but sometimes they raise their head and try to torment us. 

The thorn that sticks with us, is there to remind us that our reliance must be on God.  The pride of thinking we “have it all figured out”, has the ability to pull us out of relationship with our father in heaven.  This happens when we rely on our own “Goodness” as our source in life.

Do we start thinking were good?

Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

The “Thorn” mentioned actually reminds us of God’s grace.  If I am to boast about anything it will be about my father in Heaven.  He deserves the praise in my life above all things.

We need the “Grace” of God through Jesus to be worthy of anything.  Therefore we can boast in our “weakness” because it points to our “Savior” as the one that is worthy of Glory.  This position of humility and reliance on God will be on display and others are drawn to this powerful position of “Grace”.

Father God we thank you today that when we are weak we are strong.  Our strength comes from the one who is worthy.  The good things available come from you, and you alone are our source of righteousness in Jesus name! Amen.

Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”