My Grace is Sufficient

By Joe Keim

November 1, 2024

According to Scripture, the Lord revealed some of His most precious mysteries to the apostle Paul by allowing him to see visions and revelations. At one point, Paul was caught up to the third heaven, paradise. While there, he heard things so stunning, so staggering, so far out that they could not be uttered in the physical realm.

Amidst his extraordinary experiences, Paul was given a 'thorn in the flesh.' After praying three times for its removal, Paul understood that this thorn was not a burden but a blessing. It prevented him from boasting and kept him humble, serving as a reminder of his dependence on God.

What was the thorn in Paul's flesh?

Some say blindness or a specific type of sickness. Both of these and most other speculations are wrong. The Bible says clearly that the thorn was a messenger from Satan to buffet (torment) Paul.

All of us might ask: If Paul was such a profound and influential player in God's army, why would God stop short of delivering him from the messenger of Satan and continual torment?

Paul, most likely, felt handicapped, frustrated, and discouraged. Lord, why? Just deliver me! It's hindering me from being all I could be. It's hindering me from the ones I am trying to minister to. Oh please, Lord, take it away.

What if the frustrations in your and my ministry are also related to the messenger of Satan? What if those frustrations are a means of God to keep us from glorying in ourselves? What if those frustrations are a means of God to keep others from elevating us to heights undeserved?

In our devotions, Esther and I concluded that if the continual battles and torment keep us humble, then we are good with it. In fact, we could not describe how grateful we both felt in our hearts.

After Paul finished asking God to remove the thorn, Jesus responded:

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in [your] weakness."

In response to Jesus' words, Paul declared:

"Therefore, I would rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

This idea of a thorn in the flesh is not new. It is an OT tactic God used for the same purpose as He did in Paul's ministry. It is also undoubtedly a tactic God uses in our day and our ministries.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather flory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

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