2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Three Experiences God Gave Paul

Wow!  "Paul shared with his readers three experiences from God:

     Glory:  God Honored Him -- "God honored Paul by taking him to heaven and then sending him back to earth again ... Paul affirmed here the reality of heaven and the ability of God to take people there ... Man cannot get to God's heaven without God's help.  The interesting thing is that Paul kept quiet about this experience for 14 years! ... God honored Paul by granting him visions and revelations, and by taking him to heaven:  but He honored him further by permitting him to hear unspeakable words while he was in heaven ... during those 14 years, he had told this experience to no one ... No matter where he was -- in prison, in the deep, in dangerous travels -- he knew that God was with him and that all was well ... You and I have a marvelous encouragement in the fact that we are today seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).  We have a position of authority and victory far above all (Eph. 2:21-22).  We share God's glory now (John 17:22), and one day we shall enter into heaven and behold the glory of Christ (John 17:24)... How could Paul have such a great experience and still remain humble?  Because of the second experience that God brought to His life."

     Goodness:  God Humbled Him -- "The Lord knows how to balance our lives.  If we have only blessings, we may become proud; so He permits us to have burdens as well ... Suffering is a tool God uses for building godly character ... Paul's thorn in the flesh was given to him to keep him from sinning ... We know that God controls evil and can use it even for His own glory.  Satan cannot work against a believer without the permission of God.  Everything that the enemy did to Job and Paul was permitted by the will of God."

     Grace:  God Helped Him -- "God had another message for him, a message of grace ... God gave Paul a message that stayed with him ... sufficient grace and strengthening grace ... Paul learned that his thorn in the flesh was a gift from God.  There was only one thing for Paul to do:  accept the gift from God and allow God to accomplish His purposes ... When Paul accepted his affliction as the gift of God, this made it possible for God's grace to go to work in his life ... God did not give Paul any explanation; instead He gave him a promise -- My grace is sufficient for you.  We do not live on explanations; we live on promises ... Promises generate faith, and faith strengthens hope."

Father, thank You for Your blessings, and thank You for Your grace when I am afflicted.  Help me to see my sufferings as a gift from You to keep me humble.  Thank You for Your promises.  Without them, I would have no hope.

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Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford