In baseball, 3 strikes end an at bat, as long as the catcher does not drop the third strike. Three outs end each half-inning with a mercy rule added to little league games to teams trailing by 10 runs or more after the fourth inning. While basketball allows 4 and 5 fouls in college and the pros respectively before a disqualification occurs, soccer has just 2 cards, a yellow and red card with the ejected player’s team forced to play the remainder of the game one man down. In life, sometimes God needs to intervene, like a boxer’s trainer who throws a towel into the ring, officially ending the fight.
According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-8, the apostle Paul was pleading with the Lord on 3 different occasions to stop the pain inflicted by a messenger of Satan. This thorn in the flesh suggests some kind of physical ailment, yet byproducts like anguish, depression and mental fatigue were likely also present. Paul’s occupation as a tent maker could have led to arthritis, carpel tunnel like symptoms or various aches and pains. Based upon the details of chapter 12, Paul appears to have begged God for a period of time before receiving a message from Jesus.
Maybe I am alone, but I have come to a point where I can’t handle any more bad news. Like a roll of bounty paper towels, humility has absorbed the mess I am now living in, tapped beyond its cleaning power. Thus, I have reach my pain threshold, unable to endure any more disappointment. As I wrestle with the Lord in my thoughts and prayers, I am spent, emotionally drained by a burden of failure. Therefore, my only hope lies in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, waiting on the grace of God. Though I don’t quite fully understand verse 9, my strength is sapped like a power tool lacking juice. May the Holy Spirit provide the boost for me and anyone else coping with similar circumstances. Three times O Lord, come to my rescue and to those also experiencing torment from messengers of Satan.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 