The Master Weaver

Asking three times to take away his physical "thorn", the apostle Paul points us to the purpose of God in his misery--to keep him from becoming conceited. God is so jealous to have our hearts moist and humbled that in love He strategically orchestrates a wide range of "inconveniences" into our lives. Puritan John Flavel offers a wise word..."I see my God will not lose my heart, if a rod can prevent it. He would rather hear me groan here than howl hereafter...He consults my good rather than my ease." And loved ones of Christ, our good and God's glory is that we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, whatever He weaves into our lives. Easier said than done, but with such a Lord for us and in us, all things are possible.

--John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence (Banner of Truth, 1963), 131.