Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 18, 2023: SOAP #5098: Ps 124, 2Corinthians 11-13

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthinas (NIV) 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

OBSERVATION:  Paul had a problem that irritated him.  Like many people who live in this area say, “It got under his skin.”  It irritated him so much that he prayed, “pleaded with the Lord” to fix it or take it away three times. 

God did not do what the Apostle Paul wanted.  He told Paul that his weaknesses would make opportunity for God’s grace and power to be seen in Paul. 

APPLICATION:  I have heard that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was poor eyesight.  I have also heard that it was the opposition that seemed to follow Paul wherever he went.  But since I believe that this verse was inspired by the Holy Spirit, I believe the specific description of the “thorn” is not important.  It was not included on purpose! 

So, with whatever I am struggling, and with that which God has not answered my prayer for its removal—these are opportunities for God’s strength to be seen through my weakness!   He will take care of the issue in another way that brings Him even more glory!!!  My weakness will showcase His strength!   

PRAYER:  Lord, I trust you to be working even when I do not see you working.  I know you and I know your character!   I trust you to be working through sources of which I am not familiar.  I know your ways are higher than my ways.  Amen   

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon