Isaiah wrote in chapter 11, a prophecy about the coming Messiah’s millennial reign. I am repeatedly amazed at God’s patience and promise to Israel, considering their perpetual rebellion against Him. It was in the foggy certainty of prophesy God inspired Isaiah to write these words in chapter 12. “In that day: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for you were angry with me, that you might comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation”. Isaiah 12:1-2 ESV.
Those words most of us quickly identify with, yet what exactly do they mean? They are very easy to repeat when all is well in our daily life. But are they as easy to proclaim when we are facing serious adversity? When the apostle Paul pleaded with God to remove his “thorn in the flesh”, he felt the need to ask God three times, which shows some uncertainty. Finally, God responded, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor.12:9 ESV. What was He actually saying to Paul with those words?
If I correctly understand God’s response, He was telling His most dynamic servant, ‘Sorry, Paul, you are going to have to live with your ‘thorn in the flesh’. He certainly wasn’t saying He was going to remove it! So, what might that have meant about Paul’s trust in God comforting Him? God told Paul the thorn he was frustrated with had a specific purpose, a good purpose which gave that frustrating thorn great value to him. This appears to be how Paul understood God’s words. “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” — very interesting.
Through his interpretation, Isaiah’s verse, “… I will trust, and will not be afraid,” gains new significance. Paul’s perspective gives Isaiah’s words an interesting twist, especially since Paul was facing challenges then. This now signifies a trust that not only reduces fear but also empowers him, even to the point of singing, to overcome his hardships. I can so identify with the strength Paul reports it gave him. Though I’ve faced trials since God took my wife to be with Him, I’ve discovered His strength is sufficient, and it has offered me fresh perspectives on His nature and my response to His will. I can say I’ve continued to learn to know Him better as well as to better know the weakness of my flesh. Now, I honestly can’t say ‘thank you’ enough for His decision! I have repeatedly stated that we must trust Him based on who He is, not just on what He may or may not do in our situation. Joseph wasn’t jumping for joy after he pleaded with Pharaoh’s cupbearer to get him out of prison, and it didn’t happen. We can rely on God’s character and wisdom to possess more than just healing or comfort to shape us into His likeness.
Oh, that is so true. The trials He gives us, helps us to understand His ways and His love, more deeply than just removing them! Thank you for you for listening to God and sharing His words to you!