Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

It was time to give the apostle Paul a gift. So Paul was caught up into the third heaven. Next, he says, this man was caught up into paradise. And then, Paul says, because he had seen and heard these things, the Lord gives him his gift -- a thorn in the flesh. Not much of a gift! So, uh... no thank you, God. Please take it away, take it back. The point is what the Lord tells Paul next: My gift to you wasn't a mistake and I'm not taking it back. My grace, My gift, is sufficient for you. That is, it is of service to you. It is good for you. Your weakness is My power.