2 Corinthians 12:7-9 “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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.”

The Scene: A picture of a thorn–representing a “thorn in the flesh, an affliction.”

We are reminded of Jesus’ crown of thorns and His trip to the cross, which may make our thorns of the flesh a little easier to bear, in comparison. The thorns in our flesh which God allows are designed to keep us humble, to keep pride from ruling us. Prayerfully we are to remember what Jesus said to the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

God’s grace for us signifies at least two things for Christians: (1) the good works of God in us–His plan– and (2) when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to perform whatever His perfect plan and will are at any given time.

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Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures quoted are NIV.

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