“AND HE SAID TO ME…” – 2 Corinthians 12:9.

The word “thorn” comes from a word which refers to “a sharp wooden stake to torture or impale someone.”Paul’s thorn was now in its 14th year, when he wrote this!-v2,8. The word “buffet” means “to strike with a clenched fist, to mistreat.” For Paul it was like being beaten with an open fist or being impaled on a stake. Paul wanted to give the “gift” back!

He asked three times for it to be removed. God had a glorious purpose in it.“And He said to me…My Grace is sufficient for you…” The way this is written grammatically, ‘He did say and He does say.’ It is continuous. He would not change His mind on this. ‘He has once and for all said it!’ The word,“said” was also used as an edict of emperors and magistrates. Paul’s edict is from the King of Kings! The King has said, my King has said, is saying and it will be so! He would not have to doubt, wonder, hesitate for the edict of the King has been made known to him! The Lord has said and the declaration forever stands!

 

Imagine if you could have a conversation with Paul about his “thorn,”

“What did you say?” -”I begged with Him to remove it!”- What did He say,”My Grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness!”

 

“So, then What did you say?” -”I begged with Him to remove it!”- What did He say,”My Grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness!”

 

“What did you say then?” -”I begged with Him to remove it!”- What did He say,”My Grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness!” -“He has said, He says” – Final Answer!

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

 

” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”-{ NLT version}

14 Years of this painful thorn when Paul wrote and for each moment of each minute, hour, day, night, week, month, year there was SUSTAINING GRACE AND POWER FOR WEAKNESS! As it was for Paul so it is for you who may have your own “thorn” and wondering if you can make the next moment- In the words of the LORD Jesus,”MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU…MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT- {MANIFESTED} IN WEAKNESS.”

“A grief, a trial, an incapacity, a limitation, a weakness, which we use as a means of deepening our sense of dependence upon Him, is a blessing, and not a sorrow.”- Mac Laren

 

Take Hope-  As His Word was to Paul, so it is to you, moment by moment sustaining grace and sufficient power for your weakness. He has not left you. HE HAS SPOKEN. He has said and is saying and forever will say ,”My Grace is sufficient for you, for Power is perfected {manifested} in weakness.” You are weak? Turning to Him in prayer is an attitude and act of prayer. You are weak?  You qualify!

 He Himself is with you and provides for you and has given you a PROMISE- Grace and Power! Think on His Truth,”He has said…” and own these precious words and promise for yourself! Keep glorifying Him with your life! “AND HE HAS SAID…AND SAYS.” Think on these words. Think about who said them! He has made a Promise and He keeps them, take comfort in His Promises, for it is for you too.  “HE SAID TO ME…”