And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7)
Paul is saying here that he was tormented by a ‘messenger of Satan’. We know a Messenger of God is an Angel, so what is a messenger of Satan but a demon? In fact, looking through various translations, what is often referred to as a ‘messenger’ of Satan is also sometimes referred to as an ‘angel’ of Satan, or simply called a demon.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. (2 Corinthians 12:8)
Notice that Paul pleads with God to take this demon away from him – and I have a feeling it is no coincidence that he asks the Lord three times. How many times did Jesus pray for God to remove the suffering of the cross? How many times did Peter deny His Lord? How many times did Jesus later ask Peter if he truly loved Him? Three times. If you say something twice, it is typically pretty important. If you plead with God three times and the answer doesn’t change, you can probably assume the answer is fixed!
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Paul – missionary, church-planter, and conduit of the Holy Word of God was pestered by a demon, and God allowed it to keep Paul humble. Let that sink in for a moment… Paul was carrying around this ‘thorn in the flesh’ and accomplished unbelievable things for God. In fact, God seems to say that it was beneficial to keep Paul from getting all full of himself!
When we are weak, He is indeed strong – Paul was living proof of this! Does this mean we should rejoice when messengers of Satan are attacking us? Of course not! But this does provide a great example that God will use anything and everything to let His plan come to fruition!
#LoveMatters