2 Corinthians 12:7–10 CJB “Therefore, to keep me from becoming overly proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from the Adversary to pound away at me, so that I wouldn’t grow conceited. Three times I begged the Lord to take this thing away from me; but he told me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for my power is brought to perfection in weakness.’ Therefore, I am very happy to boast about my weaknesses, in order that the Messiah’s power will rest upon me. Yes, I am well pleased with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties endured on behalf of the Messiah; for it is when I am weak that I am strong.”
True blessing can look very different from what men naturally desire. If you could choose between Solomon’s prosperity and Paul’s suffering, whose life would you want?
Before answering, consider where their paths led.
Solomon received extraordinary wisdom, wealth, and honor from God. He also accumulated pleasures, possessions, and many wives. But everything Solomon acquired was not something God approved. His multiplying wives violated God’s instruction, and those wives eventually turned his heart toward other gods (1 Kings 11:1–10).
God’s gifts were good. Solomon’s response became sinful.
Isn’t that a danger for us? We pray for wisdom to make better decisions, money to provide more comfortably, and success to enjoy greater freedom. None of those desires is necessarily wrong. But when does providing for our family become pursuing our kingdom?
What happens when we love the gifts more than the Giver?
Solomon’s unfaithfulness brought judgment and helped set the stage for Israel’s division. Scripture does not explicitly settle his final spiritual condition, but it clearly warns us about his divided heart.
True Blessing Can Come Through Weakness
Paul received something few men would put on their prayer list: a thorn in the flesh.
We do not know precisely what it was. Paul called it a messenger from the Adversary. Yet God used this affliction to restrain Paul’s pride and deepen his dependence upon Christ.
The thorn was not humility itself. It was an instrument God used to cultivate humility.
Paul prayed three times for relief. God answered with sufficient grace.
His weakness became a place where Christ’s power rested upon him. Paul continued proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and teaching obedience to Jesus through hardship, persecution, and suffering.
He finished his race trusting Christ and anticipating the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7–8).
Which man was truly blessed?
More personally, which kind of blessing are we asking God to give us?
Which Life Did Jesus Reflect?
Now consider Jesus—God Himself in the flesh. Which pattern did He reflect: Solomon’s accumulation of earthly pleasures or Paul’s costly faithfulness?
Jesus is greater than both men. Yet His earthly life clearly followed the path of humble obedience, sacrifice, and suffering.
He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. His suffering was uniquely redemptive; ours can never accomplish what His did. But His example establishes the pattern for those who follow Him.
Why would we measure God’s favor primarily by comforts our Savior willingly surrendered?
Run Today’s Play
Examine your prayers, calendar, and spending. What do they reveal about the life you actually want?
Ask God to expose any blessing you have turned into an idol. Bring Him the hardship you want removed, and ask for grace to obey Him while it remains.
Then take one concrete step: share the gospel, disciple another man, or obey the command you have been postponing.
We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, never by accumulating faithful deeds. Yet living faith produces obedience, and God promises to reward His people’s faithfulness. Those who reject Christ face eternal judgment, regardless of their earthly success.
True blessing is knowing Christ and becoming faithful to Him.
Men, pursue the life you will be glad you lived when you stand before Jesus.
