December 19, 2024 -- II Corinthians 12:7-9 -- A test is different than a trial

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So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
II Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV
 
What glorious visions and instructions Paul must have received from the Lord Jesus Christ. Earlier in the chapter he described being caught up into heaven where he saw visions and received instructions too wonderful to tell. Note his incredible honesty here. Those visions could have become a source of boasting and something which would feed his conceit. Conceit is vanity or self-love. However, the Lord Jesus Christ, in His great purposes and for the strengthening of the man Paul, but also for the good of the men he mentored and the various gatherings of people he served, allowed Paul to face a difficult test.
 
The nature of the test is not described. The point is that a Christian man or woman will realize there are circumstances, people, events and so on which God has uniquely suited to test you for faithfulness to Him. The “thorn in the flesh” is not this or that single thing that will be the same for all people. No. Tests are events or circumstances that any believer, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, will experience in his own life and as he experiences it the believer will understand what is happening is God’s refining work. It is a test for faithfulness.
 
Note that Jesus has Satan on a leash. The Devil harassed Paul, and it must have been terrible and hard, but the Devil can not go further in harming Paul. Why was this trial allowed? Paul was incredibly gifted. An evangelist winning souls for Christ. A mentor. A teacher. A gifted Old Testament scholar. A healer. Used mightily by the Holy Spirit to write so many books of the New Testament. Paul, by his own confession, was given to conceit. What the Devil intended for evil, to break Paul down, God was using for good, to keep Paul from conceit.
 
But even more than this, by this test, Paul was driven to prayer. The man who is always praying for others, now had to pour out his heart to God in urgent, longing prayers for himself. He was taught how much he himself needed God for every moment of his life. This test for faithfulness is “an open book test”. Those were my favorite in school. You’d have an exam in front of you, but you could use the textbook of the class to drill down and give answers. Paul had the whole Old Testament as his open book as he endured this testing. He knew Abraham had been tested for faithfulness. He knew David’s running from King Saul was a test for faithfulness. God never abandons His own. He will, however, refine them, shape the, and prepare them for His desired ends: that His people grow in holiness. When you experience testing, go to the Bible. Read.
 
A test like what Paul endured is different than a trial. Trials are common to all people. It is what happens when life happens. You are in a rush and you get a flat tire. You are planning a wonderful outdoor event, and unexpectedly it rains. These are things everyone experiences. A test is sent by God, tailored by God, so that the believer is transformed. These are for Christians to grow. For Christians, who like Paul, learn to pray more deeply, seek God more humbly.
Tests reveal character flaws. Tests reveals where one is self-reliant rather than wholly God dependent. Tests show how much or how little one is given to prayer. Tests chisel away sinful patterns and traits. Tests show the limitless grace and mercy and love of God.
Let me explain. If you let your child do whatever he wants, there is a problem. What if he is playing near the street and is unaware of the dangers of stepping into traffic? What if your child is playing in the shallow waters in an area where there is a strong undertow? Wouldn’t you warn your child? Yank him out of danger? The tests of God are his perfect means of boxing Christians in so that they learn of greater dangers that are lurking nearby, while keeping them from ultimate destruction.
 
Paul realized his weakness is the point of greatest receptivity to the power, love, and blessings of God. He boasts in his weakness because that is the very place he is most open to all that God is teaching Him. He is most aware of the power of Jesus Christ. he realized the Spirit of God is present, enabling him to pray, planting in him positive character qualities. Tests are also training grounds by which the Father, through the help of the Spirit within, prepare the believer for greater opportunities for obedience and service to Jesus. It is a preparation for a promotion in grace and service.
 
Father in heaven thank You for the rich salvation that is already mine in Jesus Christ. Thank You for bringing me into Your family through Jesus work of salvation. More than this even, thank You for the fact that Your people will be brought to completion and perfection. When I am presented with a test, direct Your Spirit to sustain me, and by this testing cause me to receive positive character qualities and by this to grow deeper in faith and obedience to Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/9zGbdg1YCYY?si=HPpTevfyumbUwU0G “Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near”
 

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