Why Must I Go Through This?
II Corinthians 12:7-10
Radio Message for May 2003
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 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. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 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. 10 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.
Introduction:
Are you a born-again, Bible believing Christian? Are you suffering from a physical ailment? What’s wrong with you? Don’t you have any faith? If you really had faith, couldn’t you just "claim the victory in the name of Jesus" and rebuke the demons causing the disease or physical problem? There must be something wrong with your faith.
This kind of teaching is both hurtful and unbiblical. There are many, especially TV evangelists, who preach this kind of health, wealth, and prosperity gospel, plunging many listeners into total despair. Understandably, many who pray, and pray, yet do not get healed encounter a serious crisis in their faith.
The Apostle Paul experienced something like this and it was recorded and preserved perfectly forever for us to read in scriptures. As we study this brief passage, we will find that it is not always God’s will to heal every disease, but it is God’s will to pour His grace upon His own children, with or without His healing.
I. Physical trials are allowed according to God’s perfect plan for your life.
2 Corinthians 12:7
7 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.
A. Satan must have God’s permission to touch us.
Job 1:8-12
8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Job 2:3-7
3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
B. God wants us to depend upon Him, not upon our own recourses.
1 Corinthians 2:3
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1 Corinthians 1:28-29
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
C. Paul’s trial was probably physical.
1. Had to do with his flesh, or his physical body.
2. Thorn = large splinter or stake
3. Buffet = strike repeatedly with fists.
4. It is possible that for Paul it was poor eyesight.
Galatians 4:13-15
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Galatians 6:11
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
II. Sometimes God gives grace though deliverance in answer to our prayers.
2 Corinthians 12:8
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
A. Paul had a healthy prayer life.
James 5:16
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
B. Paul had a persistent prayer life.
Luke 11:5-8
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
III. Sometimes God gives grace without deliverance in answer to our prayer.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 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. 10 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.
A. His grace is sufficient = strong enough
Isaiah 43:2
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
B. His strength is made complete through our weakness.
Ephesians 3:16-19
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
C. Rejoice in your weakness!
2 Corinthians 12:10
10 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.
