A Thorn Named Corona
2 Corintians 12:7-10
“even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”
Is the Corona Virus the thorn in our side as it was for Paul in 2 Corinthians?
Lots of us have been left to ponder many questions once this unknown virus entered the lives of millions of people.
Where is God?
Why is He allowing this to happen?
Why is He allowing so many lives to be lost?
I found myself asking the very same questions, and losing hope in a justifiable answer. I even found myself doing the very thing were not supposed to do; question God. I get it; this is a natural instinct when we’re confused, and things are out of our control. We wonder what the almighty God could be up to. But then I’m reminded that our minds could never comprehend the vastness and complexities of God.
In this scripture the Bible never specifically mentions what the affliction is in Paul’s flesh, but it has been suggested that it was some form of illness or disease. It may have been a chronic and debilitating illness that kept him from working (doing ministry). This should start to sound familiar as the Corona Virus has debilitated the entire world. It has shut us down and kept us in. Our ways of moving about our everyday life has come to a screeching halt. Businesses shut down. Schools closed. Jobs lost. Church pews empty. If God wanted everyone’s attention well then he certainly got it.
Paul was given this thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming too proud. With everything that Paul experienced (access to heaven) and accomplished in his ministry, i.e. saving souls, and healing the sick, he could have boasted about all his accomplishments and taken all the credit, but he knew all the glory belongs to God. This thorn was placed to keep him humble and remind Him of his weaknesses so he can rely on where his true strength comes from. In these past few months I have seen this thorn named Corona put people’s personal agendas on pause. Everything on your checklist has been scratched off. It has slowed us down so we can pay attention to the things that are truly important. Most of all it has reminded us of who is really in charge. He has sent us a “friendly” reminder that he controls what happens in our life and that all we need comes from him. The whole world is weak right now and needs God’s strength. We’ve all gotten too proud and forgot who our source is. Whether you are a believer or not, there is no denying this.
The scripture mentions that this thorn might have been given to Paul from “A messenger from satan to torment me”. Would God allow Satan to torment us to get his point across? He just might. God may have been so desperate for our attention that he allowed the enemy a small amount of power to create a weakness in us for his strength to be recognized. Whether it was sent by God or by Satan, God overrules it. He can use it for his good and own purpose. When God wants the attention back on him he will allow suffering to take place. It is only when we have nothing else to rely on that most of us will turn to God. It’s only in hard times that we pray. It’s only in desperate moments that we will attend church. Well since this is the way we insist on having a relationship with God I guess this is the way it will be for now. He will not remove this thorn until his will and way in the world is done. Until every knee bows and every tongue confesses that He is Lord. Let’s see how long this takes. He’s got time, do you?
