CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 787

“Thorns”

Matthew 27:29 (ESV)   and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head … And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

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Why did it have to be a thorny crown placed upon his head?…It had to be a crown of thorns, because in this world that we live…a thorn is all the world has to give. – Excerpted from WHY by Michael Card

I must admit that I am gaining a new appreciation and understanding of Solomon’s frustration as he wrote these words in the book of Ecclesiastes: “Meaningless! Meaningless! …Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” – Eccl 1:2

I met a man working two part time jobs trying to provide for his family of seven.  I observed another part-time co-worker limping badly and in need of foot surgery but without the medical benefits necessary to have the operation.  Yet another walks 3 miles in Florida heat and humidity to his part-time job unable to afford transportation.  One co-worker had to quit his job when his hours were cut to the point that the pay for those few hours barely covered the commuting expense.  Behold, the wages of the laborers …are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. – James 5:4

This economy has given rise to the increased exploitation of workers.  Many companies especially in the retail industry are employing more part-time workers than ever given that they can legally cut their hours and offer minimal benefits – all in the pursuit of bottom-line profits, bonuses, and to maximize investor portfolios.  This may be an effective short-term solution to increasing profits in an anemic economy, however it will have a long-term negative impact on the company’s culture and health of its workers.  There are better ways to achieve bottom-line profits – ways that value people and not reduce them to that of an expendable commodity.

I was asking the Lord, ‘Why’ in prayer earlier this week when I heard the song by Michael Card with that title.  The lyric ‘…a thorn is all the world has to give.’ struck a chord in my spirit.  I may have a low-paying job, but it is full-time.  I may have a car with no A/C but I do not have to walk to work.  The Lord has sustained us and I have not had to work another part-time job.  The Lord’s grace is truly sufficient for me and I have gained greater empathy for the working poor – perhaps for a future purpose that the Lord has planned for me.

…a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me…Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Cor 12:7

This world is under a curse because of sin.  Thorns are all it has to give. And to Adam he said,“…cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; – Genesis 3:17

May you live in this world with an eternal perspective seeking first His kingdom and righteousness.  Jesus overcame this world and exchanged His crown of thorns for the crown of the King of Kings.  This world will give you thorns for a very short season.  Persevere in the faith and you will have the crown of righteousness for eternity.

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. – 2 Tim 4:6