Thorns on a flower stem.

‘Something To Think About’ B101.5FM Radio Message 4/19/16

 

A blind Scottish preacher prayed: “God, I have never thanked you for my thorn, I have thanked you for my roses, but not once for my thorn. Teach me the value of my thorn, show me that my tears, made my rainbow.’ Wow, what a prayer. How powerful that a man would have such a rare heart of wisdom and understanding.

There is something powerful about having a spirit of prayer, and thanksgiving, especially in the midst of conflict and hardship. Yes, even long term hardship. Paul, the Lord’s great apostle also had an issue concerning a thorn in his own life. He had not yet come to grips with it, but knew inwardly it had something to do with his potential to become conceited, because of the great heavenly revelations that he had been given. But he still pleaded with God for it’s removal from his life:

‘’..Or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” [2nd Corinthians 12:7-9]

Rather than go into all the details about Paul’s thorn, it’s purpose and meaning, suffice it to say that Paul took the issue of the thorn in his life to God in prayer. Without doubt, Paul’s life bears out that he completely overcame and moved forward in the grace that God promised him, and maintained a heart, life, and testimony of absolute victory in this area, and many other challenges that he faced in his life and service to the Lord. Like the Scottish preacher, Paul found many beautiful rainbows formed by the mist of his tears.

No matter how sharp, piercing, or hurtful, bring your thorn to God. Click To Tweet

Do you perhaps have a thorn issue in your life? Have you ever asked God to remove it? And if He hasn’t, have you ever thanked Him for it? It me be difficult to do so in your own strength and understanding, but this is where human thinking and limitations end, and faith in God begins.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.’ [Proverbs 3:5-6]

No matter how sharp, piercing or hurtful, bring your thorn to God. The crown of thorns they brutally pushed upon His sweet head and brow, is a reminder to all of us that he bears witness to our pain, and is always there to bless, strengthen and comfort us – and by His Grace, walk us all into the sure and certain victory of His mighty promises. Remember, the rainbow was God’s sign concerning a promise. Looks like that Scottish preacher was on to something!

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