2 Cor 12:2-10
We don’t know what the apostle Paul’s ‘thorn’ was in verse 7. I think it was something related to his feet since I just toured his second missionary trip in Greece. On the tour I suggested he must have gone by wagon and could not have possibly walked all of the miles we covered in our bus. We studied most of Acts 16-18 and surrounding related texts. It was rich. Of course, if I’m correct, and he had some walking ailment, then the good news would not have gone so far. Anyway, we can ask him in Heaven. I picture him as short and stout with a beard. Sounds like Santa though. The point I want to make is that Paul asked God to heal him three times. We also know from verse nine that God did not. Today my friend Robert lost his health battle. His wife is now a widow and in that moment everything is changed. I’ve prayed for Robert every day this year. That is more than 300 ‘begs’. Why did Paul stop at three and I have prayed 300 times? Am I a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal”, mentioned in 1 Cor 13? Am I impolite in my conversations with God? Is he tired of hearing from me? I think not. We are to pray without ceasing. Now I think Paul knew something I don’t. He prayed without ceasing but specifically asked for this specific healing only three times. It makes me think that the number of asks is not the point. We are invited to ask away but the answer is the variable. Faith is the point. We are to love God back and accept His timing and wisdom. Today we have thorns. Who knows about tomorrow? God. Robert is in his happily ever after and is healed for good.
