The Lesson Of The Thorns

THE LESSON OF THORNS.

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)

I KNEW A LADY NAMED LENA HYDE that carried a great testimony that THROUGH SUFFERING GOD IS GOD. I graduated high school and was considering college? Lena Hyde gave me good advice. She said I could come out of college with a stronger faith than I entered. Once I had been mortally wounded by the behavior of some in a church business meeting. I promised to never attend church again. Linda suggested we go to Exeter Avenue and visit Lena on our way home. We had a good visit but I never mentioned my hurt. As we were walking out of her house she said: MARTIN, I HAVE A WORD FOR YOU:

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Lena Hyde’s word sustained me through a storm. I was in church Sunday. In all Lena’s life she probably suffered more than anyone I knew. She was crippled and her pain was intense. In her wisdom, I found life. I visited her in the hospital, she was dying. I never knew her, she was just skin and bones, but she had Jesus.

DO WE UNDERSTAND PAUL’S JOURNEY?

2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

DO WE UNDERSTAND PHILIPPIANS WAS WRITTEN WHILE PAUL WAS IN PRISON?

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

NOTHING CREATES MORE DEEP SEATED ANXIETIES THAN THE FALSE ASSUMPTION THAT LIFE SHOULD BE FREE FROM ANXIETIES.

2 Corinthians 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 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.

11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE THORN PAUL CARRIED?

We often think of the thorns on a rose bush. The thorn that hurt Paul was probably more like A STAKE on which people were impaled. The thorns that Paul carried were much more than an annoyance. Paul’s thorns suggest he carried these for many years. The thorn was a deep lesson in staying humble and submitted to God’s will.

PLEASE GOD, PLEASE REMOVE THIS THORN.

PAUL SOUGHT GOD TO EXEMPT HIM FROM THE PAIN OF THE THORN. PAUL WAS A MAN THAT KNEW THE AUTHORITY OF PRAYER. HE PRAYED NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE BUT THREE TIMES.

How surprising to modern day teaching that THE THORN WILL BIRTH IN PAUL A GREAT POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

2 Corinthians 12:8 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.