1 Corinthians 12:7-9 (ESV) 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] 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.
One of the most nagging and horrible pains is when one is hiking in the woods, and walks through a patch of thorns and brambles, only to have a thorn breaks off and get lodged under your skin.
Each and every movement of the afflicted area will be painful. A constant reminder of your carelessness or misfortune. Further, I don’t know about you, but when I am out hiking I tend not to carry tweezers. So, there is absolutely NO way to remove it until you get home.
Yet, there can be a lesson learned from such maladies. This has happened to me a few times in the past. I’ll decide to go hiking out in our woods in shorts and a t-shirt. Not a wise move. How could I have avoided it? By wearing jeans and a long shirt and boots (as my wife suggested).
Now in the above Scripture, Paul is not talking simply about a literal thorn stuck in his skin. He is using a poetic language to convey a similar thought to the reader. In this case the Church of Corinth…and lessons we can learn in our modern church. Many theologians and scholars have disagreed on what “the thorn of Paul” truly was.
In my own incredibly humble opinion, I am of the belief it is either a struggle with a current sin, or constant reminder of past sin. You see, sin itself is exactly as Paul indicates in the Scripture above. It is something that reminds us of our weakness. It is something that nags us like a thorn stuck in our skin.
Paul pleads with God to remove this ache in his mind and/or body. Yet in God’s wisdom and will, He does not. This stokes a reliance on God that prevents conceitedness! You see, if you and I never suffered “thorns”, and life was easy and carefree, then with what should be compare between the goodness of a pure and Holy God against?
God uses such struggles in our own lives to do exactly this. To remind us of our place before Him, and our sincere NEED for Him to be our strength in our weakness. Further, God will use such lessons to cause us to seek wisdom so we do not continue on “hiking through the thorns”, but to steer clear from living that would produce such pains.
Lastly, what I think is so utterly beautiful in this Scripture is something so subtle and often taken for granted. We see Paul petitioning to God to remove the thorn…the suffering…the pain. Why is this so powerful you may be thinking? It should seem logical to go to God for such a thing.
We often forget this church…..who else but God is able to remove the thorn? Who else but God is capable of relieving the pain of sin and struggle and strife?
The final lyric in one of my favorite songs, “Nobody” by Casting Crowns, will provide an answer. ”Nobody but Jesus…”
SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!!
