His grace is sufficient for us.

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)

The mystery of this passage is that the nature of Paul’s affliction was never revealed to us other than to say that it’s a messenger of Satan that harasses him. Although many careful deductions can be arrive at, the “thorn” afflicting Paul is not disclosed in this passage mainly because it’s not important for us to know.

What Paul is sharing with us here is that he is kept humble under the constant reminder of it and that in his plea to the LORD the LORD responded by telling Paul that it is through this affliction that His power is revealed.

My power is made perfect in weakness.

Paul continues a joyful man in his ministry. What about us?

1) Pray and thank the LORD for all the good things, bad things and things that are “thorns” to you, that His power is made perfect through our weaknesses.

2) Pray that the world will come to know that He is the strength in all iniquities.