Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Chapter 19: Pages 262-270, 2 Corinthians 12

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 3 "Providence Over Satan and Demons" - moving to chapter nineteen "The Ongoing Existence of Demons". 

Here, Piper intends to explain how, even though God is sovereign over Satan and evil and ultimately defeats Satan, there must be some reason why Satan continues to exist - essentially we must answer the question "why God permits Satan to go on living?" Piper believes that although he does not see an answer to this question directly in scripture, he does see "pointers".  He shares that God is working to defeat Satan "not with one initial blow" but through four processes: (1) showing, (2) suffering, (3) using Satan himself against himself, (4) savoring. 

Among these processes, for me this morning, (3) and (4) are key and Piper's use of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" demonstrate how Satan tormented him, but how this was used by God to keep Paul humble.  Piper writes: "[i]n ways that exceed our full comprehension, God is able to harness Satan's hatred of Paul and make it serve God's own purposes of Paul's humility and joy."

Piper then goes on to demonstrate for me the knockout blow to Satan in how "savoring" is used to defeat Satan.  Piper writes that "God allows Satan to exist and bring short term harm on God's people.  It becomes an occasion not only to show the greater glory of Christ's wisdom and power and worth, but also to show the superior satisfaction that this glory gives his people compared to what Satan can give....God intends for Satan to be defeated in this age not merely by showing him to be weaker than Christ, but also by showing him to be less savory than Christ - less desirable, less satisfying."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your design and Your ways are incredible and I am renewed each day with Your love, compassion, and mercy for me - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and mercy.  I worry to much and I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.