Weaknesses a Plenty

Weaknesses a Plenty 

by David Brenneman 

"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! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

When I look back upon my life through this particular lens of Scripture...things look differently to me.   

I certainly have weaknesses a plenty. I sometimes think on this passed "For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within." 2 Corinthians 7:5.

Sometimes God has sent a comfortor or two in my more desperate hours of life. "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;" 2 Corinthians 7:6.

Something tells me that Paul wasn't the only one who had a messenger of Satan to poke n prod him through his life in ways that he really didn't forsee or want to experience. 

I find it interesting how much of the world adopted the saying "thorn in my side" implying that someone or something was just there to be a constant irritation that didn't want to leave.

We often over complicate life let alone what the Scriptures say about life in general let alone when it's specific. Jesus said that salvation is so simple that a child could understand it. Adults in many generations over complicated the salvation message.

My more recent understanding of my weaknesses is very similar to what I read in Paul's writing here about his own.  

Many hold to the idea of Guardian Angels that watch over Believers, so why would it be such a stretch to consider that this messenger of Satan isn't a demon that would endlessly complicate Paul's life until his mission on Earth was through? Once Paul was assured that A) this messenger wasn't going away and B) it was permitted by Jesus to be there, he then gladly accepted his situation wholeheartedly.  

I have many faults, many things often irritate me that don't irritate other people. I have things that trip me up in my walk with Jesus that perhaps don't even bother others in the slightest in the faith. Things that I have prayed that God would take from me for probably my entire life as a Believer that are still a thorn in my side.  

While nobody in their right mind desires a complicated life or relishes in chaos and troubles...sometimes it is in fact what's been permitted by Jesus that causes us to press on all the more in the upward call for us in Christ Jesus. 

Dr. Charles Stanley said in a Life Principle that adversity will last only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.  

Paul's adversity was going to stay with him until God called him home.  

What the enemy of God does to the Believer is only what is permitted by Jesus to happen. Our sanctification is paramount over our comfort. Jesus said He was sent to seek and save the lost in the world. The Disciples, soon to be Apostles, were sent to go and make disciples of all the nations. Teaching them all that He commanded. Satan and his minions are GOING to fight for every single person who isn't saved yet because God wants to save them.  

He's going to be before Jesus accusing the Brethren. Which would be you and I if you're saved in Christ Jesus.

He is going to do everything he is allowed to do. Jesus said that to get to a Believer that anyone must go through His hands.  

While my faults, my weaknesses, plague me at times I know that I have an Advocate in Christ Jesus. 

My weaknesses are there and probably will continue to be there until I am called home or the Rapture of the Church happens.  

The important thing is His grace is sufficient for you and I. His unmeritted favor is sufficient for you and I. His mercies limit what He considers to be too much for us.

Our training is ongoing in righteousness. Our walk with Jesus isn't on a lovely peaceful walkway. It's not a walk in the park. Paul's life certainly wasn't a walk in the park. 

So I pray on, pray over and pray through whatever is on that path of righteousness set before me.  

I encourage you to do the same.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.