09.24.07
“GOD’S ANSWER!”
II Corinthians 12:8-10
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me (his thorn in the flesh). 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. 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.”
Pay attention! This is the Apostle Paul writing the words in today’s Scripture. We often hear many say that it is always God’s will for His children to be healed, but we note in this passage that this is not the case. Why is that? I think that there may be many reasons—one of which is pride.
We frequently observe great displays of pride in some who boast of themselves as healing evangelists. Anytime we observe a minister stressing a single issue such as healing, they are not preaching the whole Word of God. Yes, God does send healing, but it is to bring honor and glory to Him. No one is to share that glory with Him.
Paul sets us straight. God’s grace is sufficient for any and every situation. Paul prayed with all of his might for healing, but God said no! Not just once, but three times. The Lord wanted Paul to understand that it is in the weakness—in the thorns of life that His power is made evident.
There is always a question in my mind about the longevity of healing. Our dearest daughter, Brenda who ascended to be with the Lord in 1991, was gloriously healed. Brenda had frequently commented that if she were healed people would rush to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
God graciously touched her and raised her up out of her hospital bed. Her recovery was so pronounced that all who saw her make the turn around were amazed. But it was only temporary. Her temporary healing was so remarkable that the local newspaper did an article of how her faith had given her a reprieve from her imminent death.
But people did not flock to the Lord. As far as I know, not one single person became a believer because of her healing. God’s special touch was a special gift to her and to those of God’s family who could see His power displayed. There came a day when her eyes closed for the last time in this life, to open to sights which we can only imagine. Her homegoing was so rich that we could not help but rejoice with her and for her.
We never want to stand in the way of God’s plan. Across the years since Brenda went to be with the Lord, many still recall her courage and dedication to the Lord. She probably witnessed to more people through her death than through her life.
As believers, in and through, the power of Jesus Christ, it is time to allow God to use us right where we are. We do not need to tell God what to do—He knows what is best! Completely surrender to Him and His will which is far greater than trying to orchestrate our own life.
If you have been waiting for strength, or power, or healing, or special gifts — read again this passage of Scripture. God’s message to Paul, as well as to us, is that we allow our weakness and inability to be the launching pad for God’s grace to pour out to those He wants to touch. Can you do that? Good! That is all he wants of us — not so much our ability, but our availability!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil