Biblical Talks

This a spotlight on the Scripture 2 Corinthians 12:7: So, to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 

Beloved of the Lord God knows how to teach us to pray. He will put us in situations where prayer is our only option. Have you ever been there? In 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul said” But I must not be too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me. So, a painful problem was given to me—an angel from Satan, sent to make me suffer so that I would not think that I am better than anyone else. ERV version.  In this context, a painful problem is something or someone that painfully nags or irritates your humanity nonstop. Many interpreters have speculated about what Paul’s problem was and because we don’t know exactly what it was it gives us the freedom to apply any of our painful problems to this text, Paul tells us three things about his problem. First, it was painful. It brought him torment. Second, though God was the source of the problem (verses 8-9) Satan served as the delivery system.

As in Job’s experience, God allowed Satan to bring suffering into Paul’s life, but unlike Satan, God had a good purpose in mind behind all of our suffering. Third, God intended that Paul not exalt himself as a result of his amazing knowledge.  The Lord wanted to keep Paul humble because removing his self-sufficiency would eliminate any stubborn pride, make him more useful, and cause him to bear more fruit in his ministry and bring more glory to God.

If you have a “painful problem in the flesh” today!  You can be certain that it’s for your good and because God loves you. Listen your problem, my problem, our problem today is that we don’t want to expose anything in our lives that is not in sync with God’s purpose and will for our lives. Our self-sufficient attitude stands in his way; he wants us to see him as our all-sufficient God. God sometimes acts like a recycling plant in our lives: he breaks us down so that we can seek his grace, and we can experience his perfect power. (Father, I stretch my hand to thee) This is a spotlight on the Scripture