Explores the power of humility, encouraging believers to embrace their struggles as reminders of their dependence on God and their role in His plan.
Good morning, cherished friends and family. It's always a joy to gather together in fellowship, to share in the warmth of God's love and the wisdom of His word. We are here today, not by accident, but by divine appointment. God has a message for us, a message that is as timeless as it is timely.
Our focus today is on 2 Corinthians 12:7, a verse that invites us to consider the profound power of humility. The Apostle Paul writes:
"Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud."
In this verse, we see Paul, a man who walked with God, who was entrusted with divine revelations, grappling with the thorn in his flesh. He was given this thorn, not as a punishment, but as a reminder to stay humble, to keep his eyes and his heart focused on God.
In the high places of life, where success is abundant and achievements are many, it can be easy to lose sight of the source of our strength. In these moments, humility is our compass, guiding us back to the truth of our dependence on God. It's in the high places where we are most susceptible to pride, where the air is thin and the view is spectacular. It's here where we need humility the most.
Paul: He was a man of great influence, a man who had been given divine revelations. Yet, he was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him grounded. This thorn served as a constant reminder of his need for God, of his reliance on God's strength and not his own. It was a tool used to cultivate humility in a high place.
Strength: The thorn in Paul's flesh was not a sign of weakness, but a symbol of strength. It was a testament to his faith, to his unwavering trust in God. It was a beacon of humility in a sea of pride. This thorn, this messenger from Satan, was used by God to mold Paul into a vessel of His will.
We too have thorns: We have trials and tribulations, challenges and obstacles. These are not meant to break us, but to build us. They are not meant to discourage us, but to develop us. They are tools in the hands of the Master, used to shape us into the image of His Son.
Humility is not just a virtue, it's a necessity: It's the key to maintaining our focus on God, to keeping our hearts in tune with His. It's the antidote to pride, the cure for self-sufficiency. It's the lifeline that keeps us connected to the source of our strength.
An anchor: In the face of success, in the midst of achievements, humility is our anchor. It keeps us grounded in the truth of our dependence on God. It reminds us that we are but vessels of His will, instruments in His hands. It's the voice that whispers in our ear, "Apart from Him, you can do nothing."
Helpers: The thorn in our flesh, the trials in our lives, they are not hindrances, but helpers. They are not obstacles, but opportunities. They are not setbacks, but setups. They are the tools God uses to cultivate humility in us, to keep us grounded in the high places of life.
Embrace our thorns: Let's welcome our trials. Let's see them for what they truly are - divine appointments, opportunities for growth, reminders of our need for God. Let's allow them to cultivate humility in us, to keep us grounded in the high places of life.
As we navigate the path of life, we often find ourselves entrusted with tasks that are of a heavenly nature ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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