Kingdom Rest 2

“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. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

This passage has come up a couple times in the last few weeks and again today, twice in the same church service. First, it was the centerpiece for an article by our Pastor Don Leavell, read aloud at our 8:30 am service. Then, at the same service, Dr Rich Murphy, presented the message, also based on the same message. In this passage, Paul is talking about a “thorn in his body,” a thorn that he had taken in prayer to God to remove three times. It was not until the third time, that God answered Paul. This thorn was a constant reminder to Paul that since the moment of his salvation on the road to Damascus, God was his sole source of strength, that he was nothing without God’s gift of grace. Paul knew that in his weakness, God’s power (grace) rested on him, as Paul boasted of his weaknesses, giving God all the glory.

Paul’s “thorn” was his version of the Apostles’ storm while on the boat. Before His crucifixion, Jesus offered rest to all who came to Him with burdens and were heavily laden. Post crucifixion, that offered rest became grace. In Matthew, Jesus says he will give rest to all who come to Him, those who take His yoke and learn from Him will find rest for their souls. Let Him carry your burdens. Jesus tells Paul that His grace is sufficient to give strength to overcome all the trials and tribulations that come Paul’s way. God’s strength will rest on him.

Jesus’s rest for our souls is His grace given us, freely and unearned by us. What an awesome gift! Jesus was offering true rest, a rest that would be His Grace, following His crucifixion and ascension to all those who answered His call to come to Him.

Sometimes, He does give us the human kind of rest (sleep) for His purposes, as you will learn next. Until then, Be Blessed!