The Prophetic Word - Day 192: A “thorn” may be a blessing in disguise.

“Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

You’re probably familiar with “resistance training.” In resistance training, those wanting to increase their muscle mass and strength, engage in different activities wherein a muscle’s normal movement is done with added resistance against that movement.

Now, there are any number of infomercials touting the latest and greatest contraption offering the “perfect” resistance to build muscles. In fact, they make it look so very easy to do. But the reality is, resistance is resistance, and most people don’t enjoy the experience; what they do enjoy is the results.

Yesterday we spoke of the thorns Jesus bore, and how our association with Him will bring thorns of affliction and resistance, simply because we believe in Him.

But, the fact is that ongoing thorns of resistance and affliction in our life, can actually be serving a contemporaneously positive purpose.

The Bible is full of stories of people who were saved from destruction by what was seen at the time as a thorn of resistance or affliction.

For example, we have Balaam, who was determined to curse the children of Israel. He thought his donkey was trying to hurt him. The fact was that the donkey saw something he didn’t, and it was better for him to get his foot crushed, than to end up walking into the sword of the Angel of the Lord.

“And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.””

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Indeed, the psalmist wrote of the benefit of an affliction that produced course-correction for him.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭67‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

And, the writer of Hebrews extols the benefit of chastening in terms of our spiritual development.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭8‬, ‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As well, what is seen at the time as affliction and resistance, can actually put us where we need to be to do what God has called us to do.

For Isaac it was the Philistines who kept driving him from the wells he was repairing (Genesis 26). Indeed, their constant interference eventually brought Isaac to where he was intended to settle down.

For Jacob it was a series of hardships (fleeing from Esau, deceit from his father-in-law, actions from his own family) that eventually brought him to having a personal relationship with the Lord. Through the struggles, the God of Abraham and Isaac, became the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In our opening scripture we see probably the most employed example of God using circumstances to put a person where they were supposed to be. Indeed, in the story of Joseph, his brothers meant to do him harm, but their actions actually put him where he needed to be to save all the children of Israel.

Again, nobody enjoys resistance and affliction. Face it, we all want to smell the rose without engaging the thorns. But, we need to be grateful that as children of God, whether the thorn of affliction or resistance is used to correct a course that was leading to destruction, or is used to get us to where we need to be to fulfill our purpose, we can be sure the thorns are working for our benefit.

Yes, we must even be grateful for what the Lord allows to come our way.

“pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The fact is, we may not have the benefit of seeing all things being worked together for our good, but we can be sure that the Lord is doing just that.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬-‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#ThePropheticWord