GOD’S WORD FOR  MAY 20

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

ULTIMATE ENJOYMENT

2 Corinthians 12:2

“I know a  man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven –whether in the body or out of the body I do not know.  God knows.”

D.L. MOODY

Some people have wondered what the third heaven means.  That is where God dwells and where the storms do not come.  There sits the incorruptible Judge.  Paul, when he was caught up there, heard things that it was not lawful for him to utter, and he saw things that he could not speak of down here.  The higher up we get in spiritual matters, the nearer we seem to heaven.  There our wishes are fulfilled at last.

ERWIN LUTZER

There are people today who claim to have been taken to heaven and returned to Earth to tell us all about what they saw.  When this happened to Paul, he kept it quiet; he did not speak of it, lest it tempt him into pride.

In fact, today’s verse is actually in the context of his “thorn in the flesh” given to him to keep him humble.  Even though he begged God for it to be taken away, God did not, but instead gave Paul a sufficient substitute, namely grace to bear his trial.  (2 Corinthians 12:1-10).

Trials are specifically chosen for us.  Paul was given his “thorn” by God;  it was what Paul needed.  But his thorn was not a detriment to his ministry; it was used by God to enhance his ministry.  God’s strength was perfected in Paul’s weakness.

We will have to wait until we die to have the experience of the “third heaven.”  But while on  Earth we must learn from Paul to accept what we cannot change and that any impediment can be used for the glory of God.  God is not indifferent to our needs;  He often does not give us what we ask, but He has promised grace to bear whatever He gives us.

Someday, when we arrive in the third heaven, we will see that it has been worth it all.

PRAYER

Father, until I see You face to face, let me say with Bernard of Clairvaux, “Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast; but sweeter far Thy face to see, and in Thy presence rest.”

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2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I know a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.  And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—  was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.  In behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except regarding my weaknesses.  For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.   Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

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1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

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Ephesians 2:5-7

even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

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