Manna for Your Morning

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! — 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB1995) Concerning this thorn, Paul says, three different times, he begged the Lord to take it away. And the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Paul adds: “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (See 2 Corinthians 12:8-9) What kinds of challenges may God be allowing in our lives to keep us from becoming prideful and arrogant? What prickly situation is calling for patience and perseverance? May we never think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. Everything we have, and all of our talents and abilities, we have received from Elohim, our Creator. And He imparts His grace to empower us and give us strength in the midst of our struggles.

…a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  — 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a (NKJV)   In the Message Bible the Apostle Paul said, “I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees.” May our limitations drive us to our knees and keep us from becoming proud. When we submit our lives to God, He will fill in the gaps where we fall short. When we can no longer deal with that difficult person or situation, His power and strength enables us to respond like our heavenly Father responds to us, with grace and lovingkindness. Don’t let the painful prick of the thorn distract you from the beauty of the rose, which is all the ...

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NLT) The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in his flesh, to keep him from becoming proud. Three different times he begged the Lord to take it away and each time, the Lord directed Paul’s attention back to Himself. (2 Corinthians 12:7-8) We all have some thorny things in our lives that continue to prick us and make us uncomfortable. They constantly call for our attention. Sometimes we pay too much attention to our weaknesses, those things that consistently challenge us. That will cost us our peace and our joy. Instead, let us remember what the Lord said, (His grace is all we need), and shift our focus to the Lord. Then, His power is able to work in us and through us, to bring about God's perfect will in our lives. His grace strengthens us to be and do all that we are called to be and do. His grace gives us what we need to live a successful and fulfilled life. In His grace, we r...

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in his flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment him and keep him from becoming proud (2 Corinthians 12:7). God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). When we admit we are poor, we can draw from the riches of His grace. When we admit our weaknesses to Him, His strength and power is available. When we surrender all and submit to God, He can do His best work in us and through us.

So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. — 2 Corinthians 12:7b (NLT) The Message translation says, so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. Are you being pricked? So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor (1 Peter 5:6, NLT). And remember what the Lord said: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9a, NKJV). His grace (favor, loving-kindness and mercy) is more than enough!