Pastor Ponderings #186: Thorns & Thrones

God is a good Father. This is a claim that most Christians would readily agree with. A rift begins to appear when Christians consider how God’s goodness is expressed. In its simplest form, the good love of God would only be revealed in blessing and benefit to the recipient. Again, this may be mutually agreed upon by all sides, but what form does the blessing and benefit take? Does benefit and blessing only come in the form of better jobs, higher pay, more stuff, longer holidays, sounder sleep and sweeter relationships? The Bible would suggest otherwise.

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

Shouldn’t those who are children of the high King of heaven each be granted a throne? Yet here we see Paul, a particular jewel in the King’s crown, receive a thorn, not a throne. One could argue that this thorn, a messenger of Satan was from Satan and not from our good Father. Yet we must remember the reason this thorn was given. It was given to prevent Paul from overestimating himself. Satan is probably concerned about many things, but your humility is not one of them. Satan would be happy to have Paul gloating and self-satisfied, exalted above measure. Not a good Father.

Paul asks three times to be delivered of this thorn and what do you imagine the good Father’s reply is? “Of course my beloved son! No shadow will shade your path while in my good favour! I will send angels to bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone!” Not at all. Consider,

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

We don’t read of Jesus dashing His foot against a stone. Perhaps He was delivered each time. Yet He was not delivered from beatings, lashes and crucifixion. He was not delivered from the point of the spear, humiliation and betrayal. He learned obedience through the things He suffered. All this at the hands of a good Father. The power of Christ is more readily displayed in piercing thorns than in gilded thrones.

We should never discount the rich blessings of God in granting us more then we need and deserve. Do we not generally deal with more abundance than need? These are good and good also are those blessings which come in the shape of thorns to develop spiritual maturity. The Lord God is a good Father and His blessings ought to be readily received in any form, thrones and thorns.