THORNS

 The Beloved Like a lily among thorns, 

So is my love among the daughters.

Song of Songs 2:2

What is precious is kept protected. The more precious an article, the more it is covered, separated and kept safe.

That is how GOD watches over, protects and keeps in this world,  those whom He has chosen for Himself.

Roses are precious flowers and they are found among thorns so that people or animals can't easily access them without getting injured by the thorns.

Pineapples and Durians are special fruits that have thorny or prickly skin to protect them from birds and monkeys! 

Thorns on the outside, protect us from external forces that can cause us harm. Thorns on the inner surface of the boundary lines, keep us disciplined, within the boundary lines. These are like the electrical wire fencing, that keep precious sheep from straying out into danger zones!

 You have hedged me behind and before, 

And laid Your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5

The saying goes, 'Guilty conscience pricks the mind.' Even more importantly, the Holy Spirit in a believer, brings conviction which disturbs the peace in the heart to mold us and shape us, removing undesirable characteristics and smoothing rough edges.

 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, 

a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, 

lest I be exalted above measure. 

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, 

for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, 

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: 

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, 

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 

  For whom the Lord loves He chastens, 

And scourges every son whom He receives." 

  If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; 

for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 

  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, 

then you are illegitimate and not sons. 

  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, 

and we paid them respect. 

Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 

  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, 

but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 

  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; 

nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness 

to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:5-11