Paul’s Footsteps #212

Footsteps #212

What did Paul do about the figurative thorn? He prayed that God would remove it. In fact, he prayed three times about it. I don’t think this means that on three separate days he sat at the dinner table and prayed, “Lord, please take the thorn away.” My strong suspicion is that he is speaking of three intense periods of prayer over a considerable length of time, probably involving fasting and deep pursuit of the heart of God. I also suspect Paul focused not on relief of the pain but rather on his ministry; in other words, I can just hear him ask God, “How is it going to advance the cause of the Gospel if I am unfit to preach or to travel? Lord, please heal me for the sake of the Gospel!”  Why didn’t God answer his prayer? He did. He said “no”. Is that a facetious answer? I don’t think so., and Paul apparently didn’t think so; he accepted that answer as final and quit praying about it. God in effect said to Paul, “No, I’m not going to take away the pain, the weakness, the debilitating trial represented by the thorn, but I will give you sufficient grace to handle it.” When God’s people are at the end of their rope, they sometimes think they need a miracle. But what they need even more is for God to stand by them and pour out His grace. And that grace has its greatest effect and impact when we are at the end of our resources. Our extremity is God’s opportunity. In the words of the old hymn, “He gives more grace when the burden grows greater; He sends more strength when the labours increase. To added affliction, He adds His mercy; To multiplied trials, He multiplies peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed before the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving is only begun.” When trouble comes focus on God’s ability to care for you because His love has no limits and His grace has no measure. He is the eternal God and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deut33:27) 

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