Thorn in the Flesh

2 Corinthians 12:

7 And because of the transcendence of the revelations, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up.

8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

9 And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ might tabernacle over me.

The Lord sovereignly graced me to experience a little of what brother Paul experienced. To cherish and noursih me, He gave me many heavenly and spiritual experiences with the joy and enjoyment. However, being a young learner, I also need to be balanced in every aspect. Lest I boast of God's grace to my doom. Recent months were full of out-stationed ministry filled with propagations, ministering the word with much life, zeal and full of Spirit, yet all these are just one side of a coin. On the other side of the coin is the exposure of the natural man, the breaking, the dealing and condemnation of the undealt self. Even the Lord's wise assignment of the a thorn in the flesh for every one; a perfect balance for a normal Christian in the normal church life.

Last week, I was confessing to the Lord of my weakness and asking the Lord to strengthen me and remove those weakness from my life completely. I was on my knees, praying for this earnestly. Yet the Lord spoke to me from the above verses, "My grace is sufficient for you.." Actually I asked the Lord to remove the thorn in my flesh, yet the reply was that I needed that thorn in my flesh, perhaps, to remind me of my need for Him moment by moment, realising how weak I am in the flesh and that I cannot live without Him.

This experience is very healthy and balanced. As long as I am in the flesh and blood, there is nothing like sinless perfection. Every day is a matter of looking to the Lord for the daily supply, the desperate need for the Lord in every matter great and small and for the working out of the daily salvation (Phil.2 :12). By this way is the growth from deep within and the transformation and maturity unto the redemption and glorification of the body too.

With this revelation, my begging prayer consummated in praise for the Lord's divine and wise design for every child of His. I was very much comforted and need no longer be a prey to condemnation. Instead, I praised and worshiped Him for the thorn in my flesh.