Thorn!

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Timothy wrote:
>The "thorn" was "in" the "flesh" and was "sent" to "keep
>Paul from being exalted above measure."   This was a kind
>of portable chastisement to keep Paul in line.  Since God
>allows all suffering one MUST ask WHY?   If dave is correct
>God is mocking us saying "you poor stupid children, too bad
>you cannot descern the finer points of faith since I have
>so much for you but you just don't 
>know how to get it."  And yes, Dave I know the Scripture
>about dieing for a lack of knowlege.

Because of some ambiguities, it seems very unwise to form dogmatic
conclusions about certain particulars of this section of Paul's thorn in the
flesh. When one sees the entire picture, the thorn in the flesh is an
intense, wearing difficulty or affliction that had come by means of a
messenger of satan that Paul might avoid being exalted above measure by the
abundance of the revelations. 

Though it is futile to try to identify the "thorn" it caused Paul great
consternation and ultimately served a good purpose, becoming the occasion
for a revelation to him of the overcoming grace of God, which proved
sufficient in the midst of Paul's weakness. 

We must also note that though God does not respond to Paul's repeated
pleading that it might depart from him by removing it, there is no idication
that God is upset with Paul for pleading. 

It is important to note that Jesus' answer was not seen by Paul as punitive;
nor did it cause him to resign himself to buffeting with a defeatist
attitude. Rather, it affirmed in Paul that whenever satan buffets him he can
boast in his infirmities because Jesus' strength and grace will be
sufficient to enable him to continue in the ministry. Please read the
following from 2 Cor.11:23-

23. Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool, I am more. in labors
more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in
deaths often.
24. For the Jews five times I received forty stripes save one.
25. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was
shipwrecked; a night an d a day I have been in the deep;
26. in journeys often in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils
of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in
perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27. in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in
fastings often, in cold and nakedness-
28. besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for
all the churches.

And he goes on. So thus, these are the messengers of satan sent to buffet
Paul. In the very next chapter, he speaks of them. I'll not be lengthy here...

Also, real quick: God's sovereignty: what is it? It is His will. Where is
His will? In His Word. God will not go against His written Word. If His Word
states we are healed, then we are healed. I believe you asked what should
you do after you've spoken the Promises of God and believe them and nothing
happens? Stand! Continue to stand and speak God's Word and it will come to
pass. Or else, you won't be able to rely on the Integrity of God's Word. 

Mark 11:24 : "What things so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye
receive them and ye shall have them." As long as what you say is in line
with God's Word, you can have what you say; because what you say is what you
get.>