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. 2 Corinthians 12:7
A well-known evangelist from the past century, Billy Sunday, used to say that everybody is stuck up about something; some people are even proud that they are not proud. It’s true! How many people do you know who make a point of impressing people by how humble they are? Even the great apostle Paul was afflicted with pride. But, we might say, he had something to be proud of. Look at all the thousands of souls he saw saved! Look at all the Assemblies he saw planted and the new areas that he opened up for the Gospel! Look at all the young preachers and other workers he saw launched in their ministry! Look at all the books he published, that are still best-sellers today! And what about, as Paul refers to in today’s text, all the revelations he received from God? Didn’t Paul have a right to be proud? God didn’t think so, and He made sure Paul knew it. So what right do you and I have to be proud?
We could discuss all day what the ‘thorn in the flesh’ was that buffeted Paul. But it doesn’t matter whether it was poor eyesight, a homely countenance, or stomach ulcers, Paul says the thorn was allowed by God to prevent him from being exalted. Actually, it says ‘exalted above measure’. Paul could look back over his life and reflect on the accomplishments God had led him through with a deep sense of fulfilment. He could be thankful for all that he had been able to do and rejoice at all the blessing he had been allowed to dispense. But he couldn’t take the credit. And he couldn’t forget that all was achieved only by the grace of God.
We too can reflect with joy on any service we have been able to render for God. We can be thankful for any who we have helped, for whatever blessing we have been led to dispense. If we have been faithful, we will have the same deep sense of accomplishment that Paul did. How good to know that our lives are worthwhile! But the credit is not ours, because it is by His strength and by His grace that we have achieved anything at all.
We are what we are by the grace of God. But are we all that we can be by His grace? And if we are all that we can be, are we careful to give Him the glory? -Jim MacIntosh