Do you remember Elvis Presley’s song Return to Sender? “Return to sender Return to sender, I gave a letter to the postman, He put it in his sack Bright early next morning He brought my letter back”
A lot of times we don’t want to go through the hard stuff. We are caught up in our trials and tribulations. We may be experiencing persecution at our jobs, or in our families. We wish it would go away, so we wouldn’t have to deal with it. We may be facing sickness or emotional challenges. “Return to sender”, wherever these things, situations, or people came from. This is from the person who was supposed to get the letter in the song. A lot of times we are confused about the sender. Is it God? Is it the Devil or is it my own doing?
In 2 Corinthians 12 1-12, we find the Apostle Paul sharing an experience that most of us have never had. This occurred 8 years approximately after his conversion on the road to Damascus. He wrote about this in AD 55 or 56 in his second letter to the Corinthian Church. This happened to him 14 years before the writing of this letter which was around AD 42. So Paul was in his eighth year as a Christian. Remember Paul, who was called Saul was a great persecutor of the Church. (Acts 8:1-3, Acts 26:11). After meeting Jesus, his life was totally turned around and he was given a ministry assignment. We see this in Acts 26 as Paul was before King Agrippa. Acts 26:16-18 (KJV) -16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. As Paul obeyed the call of God on his life he experienced much persecution in his travels. He gives testimony to this in 2 Corinthians 11:22-27.
Everyone who is Born Again has a life assignment that God wants you to fulfill. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance-Romans 11:29. In other words God doesn’t change His mind about what He has called you to do. Let’s look at this chapter in 2 Corinthians 12 and clarify some things. Apostle Paul had a supernatural heavenly encounter. He wasn’t seeking it, praying for it. It just happened. It was an invitation of the Lord. He was caught up in the third heaven known as Paradise, the throne of God. We see this in Revelations with Apostle John-Revelations 4:1. “Behold a door was opened… Come up hither.” Paul in his humility speaks in the third person of himself. He experienced visions and revelations. He saw supernatural things and received supernatural knowledge.
Paul’s ministry was growing and becoming more prominent. His ministry was coming against the kingdom of darkness and Satan. His influence was becoming greater as he traveled, preached, and taught the message of grace. First to the Jews whom he experienced the most persecution and then to the Gentiles. We see this persecution in Acts 9:20-25, Acts 14:2, Acts 17:13, Acts 21:27. This was God exalting and expanding Paul’s ministry. The early Christians who faced persecution went everywhere preaching the Word of God, and so did Paul. They didn’t renounce Christ or go into hiding.-Acts 8:4. Look at 1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV) -6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Also in Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) -8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions (persecution) are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. In Proverbs 18:16 I’ve heard that this verse taught that a man’s gifts makes room or opportunity for him and brings him before kings.” This certainly is what happened to Paul. If you take that scripture to mean that.
Apostle Paul said because of this exaltation, this expansion of ministry that he was given a messenger of Satan, a thorn in the flesh. Notice it doesn’t say a messenger of God. It was some spiritual entity meant to disrupt Paul’s assignment. Most commentators say that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was some kind of sickness. Yet Paul doesn’t say that. Also in his description of all the trials he went through, he doesn’t mention any sickness. This exaltation wasn’t that Apostle Paul was being lifted in pride and God had to send Satan to humble him because of the revelations and visions. Why would Satan want to humble Paul? If anything he would want Paul to get prideful with all that God was doing through his ministry.
There were signs, wonders, and mighty miracles done through Paul’s ministry. We know that Satan had a pride problem. He wanted to be like God-Isaiah 14:13-14. It seems if this were the case Satan would be fighting against his agenda. We know from the scriptures that thorns represented persecution. We see this in Numbers 33:55, Ezekiel 28:24, Joshua 23:13, Judges 2:3. This thorn was not some physical infirmity or sickness. In Acts 12:1, King Herod vexed or harassed certain ones of the Church. To irritate and frustrate the plan of God. Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:14 (KJV) -14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Ok, we got that figured out. Just so you know God doesn’t use Satan to humble us. We humble ourselves. Satan isn’t God’s errand boy to do his dirty work. Apostle Paul didn’t have a problem with pride. Look at his own words in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (KJV) –9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet (worthy)to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Look at 1 Corinthians 2:3.
The sender wasn’t God but a messenger of Satan. An evil entity meant to stir up trouble for Paul. We know Paul wasn’t the cause of all this trouble either. We see Paul praying for God to remove this persecution. Remove these obstacles, and remove the persecutors. He prayed three times. Just like Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemane-Matthew 26:39-44. How did God answer? “No, No, No!” How many times have we prayed like that? Jesus said this in John 16:33 (KJV) -33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Again in Acts 14:22 (KJV)-22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (2 Timothy 3:12) We are redeemed from spiritual death, sickness, and poverty but we are not redeemed from persecution. Thank God for the promise in Psalm 34:19 (KJV) -19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
What did God tell Paul in the midst of this persecution? “My grace is sufficient for thee.” –2 Corinthians 12:9. Maybe that’s what we don’t want to hear right away. If we truly understand grace we would say, “That’s all I need to get through this persecution.” With God’s grace, we have an inner peace that’s greater than the outward pressure of persecution. Paul preached the message of empowering grace. God said it was sufficient. In other words, it is available right now! Grace means to be possessed with unfailing strength. You have God’s grace by faith. It comes through the knowledge of Jesus.-2 Peter 1:1-3. I think God was saying, “Paul you have an assignment from me and I’m not going to change my mind. “You got my grace. “Don’t forget what Jesus went through.”- John 15:20. Hebrews 12:3 (KJV) -3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Many times we become wearied and faint-hearted. That’s why we need to boast about our weaknesses and our inabilities because it’s God in us that makes a difference. I can do all things through Christ-Philippians 4:13. We don’t do it through human strength or willpower. We tap into the presence and strength of God.
We need to realize that persecution comes as we see in Mark 4:17 (KJV) – because of the Word of God. 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. Satan hates the Word of God and He tries to steal it from us. We need to be rooted in the Word to be able to endure, not just for a little while but all the time when we face persecution, trials, and tribulations. He doesn’t want you to follow God’s assignment, share your testimony, lay hands on the sick, or lead someone to Christ. The power of Christ upon our lives is greater than the pressure of persecution. We have God’s anointing upon our lives to do the will of God.
As one minister shared, “God’s revelations bring transformation that leads to exaltation.” Don’t you dare drawback when things get difficult. When your ministry is growing, when you’re reaching more people, and when you growing and maturing in Christ. Stay in a place of humility, totally dependent on your Father in heaven. Stay out of pride-Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6-7. Be strong in the grace of God as Paul told Timothy. (2 Timothy 2:1, Hebrews 13:9, Ephesians 1:7) So, God wasn’t saying I’m going to remove the persecution, I got something better for you. “It’s called grace, the power of Christ!
One final thought. Yes, we know it was an evil entity. Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-19 we wrestle not against flesh and blood but demonic powers. That’s why we have the Armor of God. We are to be strong in the Lord not in ourselves. When Jesus was in the garden an angel appeared to him and strengthened Him-Luke 22:43. We read in Hebrews 1:14 about ministering spirits sent forth to minister. Thank God for angels. We don’t worship or pray to them but thank for them assisting us. Remember Peter in prison and how the angel delivered him- Acts 12:7. They are greater than any evil entity. There is more for us than against us in this spiritual battle. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even persecution. Romans 8:36-39.We can also thank God for the body of Christ to pray, comfort, and help us in the time of trials and persecution.
So remember when the devil comes knocking at your door, just tell him he’s got the wrong address! “Return to sender.”
If this has blessed you in any way please let us know and share with a friend. God bless!
Brent and Linda