Difficult Keeping Us Humble

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

What a difficult time God has to keep us in our proper place!  We easily become puffed up, but how difficult it is to keep humble!  Even a blessing from God, a glorious experience, a special manifestation of grace may cause us to feel superior.  And the fact that we can become proud because of something which we have received as a gift of grace is the clearest evidence of how corrupt our nature is.

Nevertheless God does not abandon us, but deals with us in His mercy, and wisdom, sometimes He even deals severely with us.  Even Satan must serve Him in making us humble.  He places a thorn in our flesh, causing us to experience how weak and frail we are; and in spite of our prayers for deliverance he permits the affliction to remain; for through it He will bestow upon us the true blessing:  His grace.  Yea, He will show us that His grace is sufficient, and that it is only when we are weak that we are strong.

Therefore do not become discouraged if the thorn causes you pain.  The pain is necessary in order to keep you humble. 

Rest A While, Fredrik Wisloff – September 1