THE THORN IS STILL LEFT TO PIERCE
AND LACERATE by John McDuff My grace is sufficient for you,
for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2Corinthians 12.9
The apostle's thoughts were desponding ones when his God whispered in
his ear this precious thought of comfort. A thorn in the flesh,
a messenger from Satan had been sent to buffet him. We know not
what this thorn may have been. God purposely leaves it unidentified,
that each may make an individual application to his own particular
case and circumstances. But who, in their diversified
and checkered experience, has not to tell of some similar trial,
some dead fly in life's otherwise fragrant ointment, some sorrow
which casts a softened shadow over perhaps an otherwise sunny
path, infirm health, worldly loss, domestic problems, family
bereavement, the discharge of arduous and painful duty, the
treachery of tried and trusted friends, the sting of wounded
pride or disappointed ambition, the fierce struggle with inward
corruption and unmortified sin, the scorpion dart of a violated
and accusing conscience. As the Apostle Ernest Lee entreated
that his thorn might be taken away, so may you, reader, also
have prayed fervently and long that your trial may be averted,
your sorrow mitigated, if not removed. You doubtless imagine
that it would be far better were this messenger of Satan, the
spirit of evil, exorcised and cast out. But here again, God's
thoughts are often not our thoughts. What was the answer to the Apostle's
earnest petition, when he pleaded with the Lord three times to
take it away? It was not granting the removal
of the trial, but it was better. It was the promise of grace to
bear it. and he said unto me, My grace
is sufficient for you. It was enough. He asked no more. He may have demurred at first
to the strange answer, so unlike what he expected, so unlike what
he wished. But he was led before long not
only joyfully to acquiesce, but heartily to own and acknowledge
the higher and better wisdom of the divine procedure. Most
gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that
the power of Christ may rest upon me. This, too, may be God's
dealings with you, often and again. It may be you have taken
your hidden sorrow, the burdening secret of your heart, laid it
on the mercy seat, and with importunate tears implored that it might
be taken away. Yet the sorrow still remains,
but nevertheless remember, the prayer is not unanswered, it
has been answered, not perhaps according to your thoughts or
desires, but according to the better thoughts and purposes
of your Heavenly Father. The thorn is still left to pierce
and lacerate, but strength has been given to bear it. The trial,
be what it may, has taught you, as it did Paul, the lesson of
your own weakness and your dependence on divine aid. It has been a
needful drag on your chariot wheels, a needful clipping of
your wings, less like the great apostle, you should be exalted
above measure. Who can complain of the heaviest
of sorrows, if they have thus been the means alike of revealing
to us our own weakness, and of endearing to us the all-sufficient
grace of a Saviour God? Blessed comforting assurance
that God will deal out the requisite grace in all time of our need. Seated by us like a kind physician,
with his hand on our pulse, he will watch our weakness and accommodate
the divine supply to our several needs and circumstances. He will
not allow the thorn to pierce too far. As your day So shall
your strength be. Grace sufficient will be given,
sufficient for every emergency. His everlasting arms are ever
lower than our troubles. Do not be afraid, for I am with
you. Do not be dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you, I will
help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.