Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Thorn In the Flesh
* Scripture: Jesus said, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” Matthew 5:45b, NKJV

Now I ask you , is that really fair? It only seems right that the evil and unjust should be punished in some way, and the righteous alone should be the beneficiary of God’s gifts.
Then there is the matter of the man who hired laborers at different times during the day, and paid them all the same wage, whether they worked all day in the sun, or just an hour or so. There should have been a government agency in charge of that one. (Mt. 20:1-16)
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t get mad; get even!” An eye for an eye. Tit for tat. You push me; I push back. Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. That’s the way the world goes.
Apparently Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules, though, from what He states in the preceding and following verses.
Love your -”enemies?” Bless those who curse you? No, those are not the way things usually go. Oh, we pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us, all right - for something nasty to happen to them.
Don’t think so? How about the tele marketer who calls at meal time; the #*%@ who cuts you off in traffic, or ducks into the parking place just ahead of you. You say nice things?
Let’s face it: it is a real struggle to rise above the trials and tribulations that come our way. The real test of a loving and forgiving heart comes when bad things happen to us. The slap on the cheek, the law suit, the unwanted request, as noted by Jesus in Mt. 5:38-42, give us an opportunity to witness to the power of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:17) that he had a ‘thorn in the flesh,’ and pleaded to the Lord that it might be removed. The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul does not reveal the nature of the thorn in his flesh, only that the Lord’s answer was, “No!” Instead, Paul received God’s grace to bear the thorn.
We are not unlike Paul, then, when we are beset with infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. Yes, we can - and should - pray about these things. The Lord can and will remove such as He desires.
Sometimes, though, the answer is not removal of the ‘thorn,’ but grace sufficient to endure, even as Jesus endured.
Take to heart the ‘Sermon On The Mount;’ pray that you develop qualities exemplifying the Father in heaven.
October 16, 2005