September 10, 2022

Dear Church Family,

Have you ever played a game like chess against someone next level and realized the moves you think are helping you win are actually bringing about your defeat? It takes a real pro to use a person’s own moves against them. That’s exactly what God does with Satan and His attacks. The Devil wants nothing more than to ruin God’s plans and destroy His people, but God is able to actually use these attacks to accomplish His plans. I saw this in 2 Corinthians 12 this week as Paul describes his thorn in the flesh.

2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

Paul describes an incredible vision of heaven in which he saw and heard amazing things that could give him much sinful pride. In order to keep him humble and reliant upon Him, God allows a messenger of Satan to torment him with a thorn in his flesh. What the “thorn” is we aren’t told, but it is painful enough that he pleads with the Lord three times to remove it. Instead of removing it, God explains His good purpose in Satan’s attack.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God was able to display His power as Paul relied upon God’s strength and not his own. The very thing Satan used to try to ruin Paul became the vehicle for God’s receiving glory. God is able to do all things.
You have a real enemy in this world, but also remember Who is on your side. The next time you face an attack from Satan, choose to believe that God is on a whole other level than Satan. God is so incredible that He can actually use what Satan means for evil and use it for good.

1 John 4:4 (ESV)
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

–David Bronleewe