God's Providence and Provision
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)
Have you ever experienced a particularly difficult period in your life? The loss of a job, a fight with your wife, children that are constantly bickering or trashing your home, the loss of a loved one, separation from a close friend - all of these things we experience at times in our life. It is at these times that we need to dwell on the source of our blessings and strength. As the Psalmist said: "For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord" (Psalm 117:2, NIV).Our LORD gives us great encouragement in such times. Moreover, He is our source of continual strength and spiritual power over all the "light and momentary troubles [that] are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2Cor.4:17, NIV). Keep your faith strong by seeking out fellowship and worship with other believers.
In 2 Corinthians 11-12, Paul makes his last attempt to put to rest any remaining doubts about the authenticity of his ministry or his authority as an Apostle. Through the terrible trials, beatings, pain, hopelessness, danger, hunger, and grueling work Paul continually praised "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever" (2 Cor. 11:31, NIV). What is the source of this strength - I need a double dose for my life...how about you? Well, Paul had a special experience from God near the beginning of his ministry:
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether I was in the body or out of the body I do not know - God knows...And I know that this man...was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4, NIV)
What an incredible experience! Even if the Lord had allowed Paul to share this revelation, Paul could not put it into words it was so glorious. I believe this enabled Paul to focus on his target, lean into the wind, put the pedal to the metal, and run the great race that he ran while in the body here on Earth. Paul's strength was firmly set on his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Out of his desire to be obedient to God's calling, the calling to be a "Christian" (which is the same calling each of us as a believer has), Paul submitted to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in every decision of his life. Paul trusted God and knew that the Lord would enable him to succeed in his ministry if he was faithful to do that which God asked of him.
But the story doesn't end here. Paul's sufferings continued - only they were even more sinister and personal than before. The beatings and other trials were things done to his body. As we see in this passage, he suffered physically inside as well:
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, 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" (2 Cor 12:7-9, NIV).
Though we do not know what specific ailment tormented Paul, the important point to realize is the lesson Paul learned from it. God chose to allow this additional trial in Paul's life and He chose not to heal Paul - though He elected to heal many people through Paul in his evangelistic ministry. It is ironic that Paul saw these people being healed through the power of the Holy Spirit and yet he had this persistent, nagging pain inside.
God is all-powerful and all-knowing. Therefore, it is His "providence" that many times allows difficult circumstances in our life. Realize that no matter what kind of mess you are in - God is all-knowing and knows what you can handle. Use what gifts God has given you to carry out His glorious purpose and leave the rest in God's loving hands. He will give you, like Paul, grace to bear it. As Warren Wiersbe puts it: "Paul didn't make the best of it, he made the most of it. Pray for His all-sufficient grace to enable you to be perfected and matured in your faith.
Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.ComCopyright 3/30/2001, Randy Lariscy.
