PAUL pleaded thrice for deliverance from the sharp thorn that caused such suffering. But at last the answer can in a way he had not looked for. The Lord said, as it were, “No, Paul; I will not remove the thorn, but I will give you grace to endure.” And this moved the apostle to glory in his very infirmities that the power of Christ might rest upon him. Happy the soul that has learned the folly of striving against the permissive will of God, and can receive all at His hand and look to Him for strength to endure. It was this that enabled Job to triumph as he cried, “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not also receive evil?”
“With eager heart and will on fire
I fought to win my great desire:
‘Peace shall be mine,’ I said, but life
Grew bitter in the endless strife.
My soul was weary, and my pride
Was wounded deep. To heav’n I cried,
‘God grant me peace, or I must die!’
The dumb stars glittered no reply.
Broken at last, I bowed my head,
Forgetting all myself, and said,
‘Whatever comes His will be done.’
And in that moment, peace was won.”