Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh     

II Corinthians 12:7 states, “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.”   

       For centuries Bible expositors have postulated on just what St. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was.  However, no one really knows what this “thorn” was.  If he had been a choral director, I think I know what this “thorn in the flesh” would have been.  It would doubtless have been a choir member who did not sing quite on pitch.  

       Paul prayed for the removal of this problem but the Lord, in His great wisdom, did not remove it.  Do you have something or someone that troubles you incessantly?  Are you perplexed that this “thorn in the flesh” has not been removed?  

       St. Paul believed that the Lord did not remove this problem so that he would not be “exalted above measure”.  In the midst of this perplexity Paul could see a loving God at work in his life.  In verse nine Paul recorded that the Lord promised him that “my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  This precious Bible promise is still available for all those who have some problems that just won’t go away.  God’s grace is still sufficient for every need that a Christian musician has in the twenty-first century.