I. THE ABIDING VISION (II Cor. 12:1-4) Paul had for 14 years carried with him an abiding vision of some ecstatic spiritual experi ence that was peculiar to himself. He had been reticent to inform others of its character, and certainly had studied to avoid all boastful refer ence to it by deliberately engaging in the language o f the third person ( “ I knew a man in Christ” ). Indeed, to describe his vision was forbidden o f God. Today, we are still in ignorance as to its essential nature. We can be sure it was a lofty privilege allowed of God. It has been speculated that Paul, when referring to this vision, equated it with one of the recounted instances when he received direct communication from heaven. Whether this be so, or whether the reference is to an experience omit ted from the Acts of the Apostles, we know not; but we do know there were occasions when Paul received special blessing and help from heaven. Two o f these were:— (1) D uring H is C onversion (Acts 9:4-6). The brilliant light , with its resultant effect upon his optical senses, arresting him on the road to Damascus, might have been the occa sion of his ecstasy. Later he said: “I could not see for the glory of that light” (Acts 22, verse 11), and he continually delighted in re flecting upon this experience. (2) D uring H is C ommunion (Acts 22:17, 18). “ While I prayed I . . . was in a trance; and saw Him. . . .” This exceptional quiet time was used of God to manifest Himself in an unusual way, and He forewarned Paul of the hazards awaiting him if he proceeded to Jeru salem. It might have been on either or neither of these occasions that Paul was transported, “whether in the body or in the spirit,” to the “ third heaven” or to “ paradise.” His phrases, “ exalted above meas ure” and of “unspeakable words which it is not lawful for man to utter,” together with his personal doubt as to physical or spiritual transportation, cause this experience to stand out as intriguing if not unique. Having said that, let us remember that in a lesser degree we, as Christians, have bless ings and privileges that God has ministered to us at conversion, during our quiet times and as we unitedly worship. The lesson that we learn from all this is that such privileges and spiritual blessings are often counterbalanced by God-allowed difficulties. As Christians we have to encounter trials that the worldlings know not. Day by day we enter heav enly places and invoke spiritual blessing. Therefore we face temptations unknown to others, for with the abiding vision there comes:— II. THE ABASING THORN (Verses 5-8) We may well ask what was the thorn that
troubled Paul; but again, in the absence o f specific mention, we can only speculate. There are two main trends of thought, but we cannot be dogmatic on any. (1) D ifficulty in S peech : “ Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. . . . Ye . . . received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” A headache or physical ailment would not be noticed, but there was probably something in his comportment that cost much. “His intense desire to get the mes sage of the gospel of Christ across was hin dered by the things which exposed him to ridicule and tended to make the saying un acceptable to those who were not under the spell of his extreme earnestness” (Gal. U:13, U ) . (2) D ifficulty in S ight : “ Ye see how large a letter [or large letters ] / have written unto you with mine own hand.” “I f it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them unto me.” This, too, would be a tremendous handi cap to one who was so desirous of publishing God’s truth (Gal. 6:11; U:15). We are not told what Paul’s thorn was. Men have hazarded guesses, yet the Holy Spirit has chosen to keep it from us in order that we might console ourselves that Paul himself may have trod den the thorny road o f our particular problem. I am sure John Wesley, with his domestic diffi culties, was strengthened when he read these words. I am sure John Sung, with his neurotic nature, was strengthened when he read these words. I am sure David Brainerd, in his physical frailty, was strengthened when he read these words. All saints from Job to the present day have had some “mes senger of Satan to buffet” them. Those whom He exalts He also abases. God does not lead us round “Hill Difficulty,” but over, for He promises with the abasing thorn:— III. THE ABUNDANT GRACE (II Cor. 12:9, 10). Do you not hear from heaven the promise of His grace to carry you through whatever the thorn may be? This can be realized as we:— (1) A ppreciate the P urpose : “Lest I should be exalted above measure” (v. 7). Remember the thorn is for ultimate good, and is as necessary as is the privilege of bless ing. Every difficulty is a further proof of God’s purpose prevailing for our good, even though it brings us to the valley of humiliation. (2) A ccept the P rivilege : “Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities . . . in necessities, in perse cutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake" (v. 9,
JANUARY, 1969
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