Chapter 1052 of 1163

2 Corinthians 12

Permission. Just as God permitted Satan to test Job (Job 1–2) and Peter (Luke 22:31–34), so He permitted Satan to attack Paul. God wanted to keep Paul humble after his exciting visit to heaven. In the loving will of God, suffering has a purpose that can be fulfilled in no other way. Accept it, and it will become a heavenly blessing; fight it, and it will become a heavy burden.

Prayer. Like our Lord in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:44), Paul prayed three times for God to deliver him; but the Lord did not answer that prayer as Paul wanted. However, God did meet the need and gave His servant the grace he required. Paul did not simply make the best of it—he made the most of it! Grace can do that for you.

Perplexity. Paul was concerned more about the sins of the saints than about his own physical problems. Like a loving father, he wanted to go to Corinth and enjoy his dear children, but they were forcing him to discipline them. Yet, even discipline is an evidence of love (Heb. 12).

“We must form our estimate of men less from their achievements and failures and more from their sufferings.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

↑ Back to top