A Thorn

Believe it or not we can all relate to Hannah’s childless situation. Not only did she fervently pray for an answer to her prayers, but for years the answer seemed to be a “no” from God. Perhaps she even prayed for relief from the constant torment and judgment that Peninnah piled on her with each new child that was born.

The apostle Paul also prayed repeatedly for the thorn in his side to be removed. The Lord’s response was that His Grace Was Sufficient. Many have speculated about what his thorn was, but regardless, it was chronic, debilitating and felt life altering enough to bring him to his knees.

I read a study today that commented, “God, on the other hand, preferred what the thorn produced in Paul, and He kept it right where it was.”

Like Hannah and Paul, “we all have thorns; no one is exempt and every thorn, big or small, is purposeful. The thorns produce humility, intimacy and dependence on God. Whether we’re clueless and need wisdom or hurting and need relief, His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness.”

It’s in the thorn moments that we clearly see and understand some of the different characteristics of God. When we don’t have enough, He is our provider. When we are weary, He is our strength. When we experience loss, He is our comforter. When we are lonely and abandoned, He is our friend.

His grace is more than sufficient for anything this world throws at us. His grace is…. Him. It’s more of Jesus. It’s His strength working in and through us and because of that we can boast about our weaknesses because Christ is our strength!

Be Intentional about trusting in God’s Sufficient Grace.

Praises & Prayers

Father, thank you for the reminder of Your All Sufficient Grace! I’m grateful for the clearer perspective of seeing the thorns in my life as opportunities to draw closer to You. Use my weakness for Your good and help me to trust that a “no” never limits Your abilities. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Messages from His Word

2 Corinthians 12: 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.