A GOD THAT HIDES HIMSELF -- Tomorrow:
"Truly, Thou art a God Who hidest Thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior" -- Isaiah 45:15
Paul's own testimony of this condition is as follows; "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 Cor 12:7). It was "given," in that is came from God. The delivery of the gift was at the hands of Satan, God's minister for evil. The situation prompting the handicap was "the abundance of revelations" given to Paul. The objective served by the "thorn" was to prevent the Apostle from being "exalted above measure." Among other things, that reveals why many people with very few hindering factors.
All of this was perceived by Paul some time after the handicap occurred. The "thorn" did not come with an explanation. The gift was not dispensed with an elaboration of its purpose. Satan certainly did not mean to keep Paul from being exalted "above measure." That is quite contrary to his intentions.
In the beginning, the purpose for the thorn was hidden from Paul. He was unable to associate this with blessing or benefit. God had hidden the matter from him. After he had prayed three times for the "thorn" to be removed, God shared the secret with Paul. The Apostle could not have stumbled upon the reason that dictated the gift of handicap. It was revealed to him by the Lord Himself. "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor 12:8-9).
The purpose for the thorn was to cast Paul upon the grace of God. That is what would make him spiritually strong, and equal to the challenges of his apostleship. Once he saw this, he shouted, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor 12:10). Everything changed when the truth of life's circumstance was perceived. That perception, however, could only come when God revealed it. Until then, it was hidden.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me insight to recognize the truth, and acquiesce in it, that when I am weak, I am strong.