Scripture:
[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.
Observation:
Paul says he was given a thorn in his flesh. Not that he was somehow inflicted with a thorn in his flesh. He welcomed it. God gave it, Satan used it, God allowed it, and through that, Paul welcomed it.
Why? To keep him humble. Even Paul, in his humility, could have become conceited from knowing what he knew, from seeing what he saw in his vision.
Application:
In this life we may be blessed in some ways seemingly far beyond others. Blessed with things, blessed with intelligence, blessed through family and job, blessed in so many different ways. When God then gives us that thorn in our flesh – that nagging health problem, that job loss, that addiction in the family, that tyrant boss – and allows Satan to smack us around a little so that we don’t become conceited in our blessings, let us welcome it. Welcome it knowing that God gave it to us,
Prayer:
Lord thank you for for sending Your Spirit to live within us. Thank you for giving us the joy of walking with You through this life. Help us to be grateful in our blessings and not compare our blessings to others. Lord we welcome any thorn in our flesh that will help keep us humble. In Jesus mighty name we pray, amen.