Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Humble Pie



Bible Study -- Humble Pie
From the Bible Nugget Series # 31


2 Corinthians 12:6-10 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.

Paul was a man chosen by God for a great work. Jesus struck him down on the road to Damascus, picked him up, cleaned him up and set him on the "glory road" of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world. God wrought wonderfully through Paul and even gave him a great vision of heaven which he related in verses 1-5 of chapter 12 to the Corinthian Church. The thing that Paul would have us to see in these verses is how he was tempted to boast of his work for God. He said in verse 6; "For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool".

Paul, like anyone else, loved the pat on the back and the notoriety that came with his position. It was a source of possible sin and something he had to contend with. Paul's "inner man" (Rom. 7:22) wanted the folks to see him for what he really was and wanted them to know that it was God that did the work. The problem was that his "outward man" wanted to accept praise from people. The result of this was the "thorn in the flesh" that God sent to him via Satan. Paul knew who allowed it, who brought it to him and the reason it was given to him. He said in verse 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."

Paul prayed three times for God to take this devil from him but God told him "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." The great Apostle Paul had a "besetting sin" (Heb. 12:1) and it was the desire of the flesh to receive glory and honor. It is heady stuff to be chosen by God and exalted by your fellow man. It can lead to the sin of pride and a feeling of self worth and self importance to the point that man is glorified instead of God. The man of God might well forget that it is God who is doing the work through man.

When ever we get to the point that we feel we have it conquered we better watch out. We are ripe for that "thorn in the flesh". The Bible tells us to; "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:10) If we don't then He can and will.
We sometimes get caught up in trying to figure out what Paul's thorn was and don't see the reason for the thorn. Infirmities remind us of our weakness. Trials and troubles keep us humble. When the storms of life overwhelm us it is then that we are found on our knees before God, praying for deliverance. Paul was the same way. Paul carried the same flesh we do, underwent the same temptations and gave in to weakness just as we do (Rom. 7:14-24). Everyone of us has a thorn. Yours may not be the same as Paul's or mine. Mine may not be the same as yours but you and I have a weakness that God and we know about. It is not for others to know any more that it is for us to know Paul's weakness. The important thing is for us to face it and realize we cannot whip it on our own. We cannot defeat sin without the power of God working through us. May we let God's strength be made perfect through our weakness.

Hillbilly



Poetry Corner



Chain of Burden


Open my heart, Lord and look inside
Fill it with humility and not with pride.

Show me a door Lord ,that I can explore
Set me among those who are humble and poor.

Riches and spoil are portions of disaster.
I long for the bread that is served by my Master.

Pride is an arrogant hanging chain
around a neck that causes much pain.

Lift me up Father, and bring me to a place
where I am surrounded by your love & grace.

Set me upon land where I can be good
Obeying your laws as I know I should.

Guard my lips every moment of each day
Rid me of pride in all I do and say .



Psalm 37:6 Therefore pride is a chain
about their neck; Violence covereth them
as a garment.



Julie Pisacane © 2005

The One I Turn To






May God richly bless all of you this day ,



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