1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
I dare say there are many scriptures more sobering than 1 Corinthians 10:13. Talk about a kick in the reality! I don’t believe anyone actually thinks that trials and troubles are unique to themselves. We know everyone goes through difficulties. We’re clear: it rains on the just and unjust alike. But let’s face it, it feels just a bit worse when it’s raining on you. And sadly, we have very poor coping skills.
Knowing others are going through exactly what we’re experiencing generally doesn’t help much. More often than not, when difficulty comes, we’re tempted to turn to self-indulgent remedies like drinking, drugs, illicit carnal activity, or some other unstable emotional cure. Basically we give up and do what everyone else is doing. The challenge of standing alone in favor of the plan of God isn’t an easy or popular stance. But it’s a position that pays phenomenal dividends.
In the passage above, the Apostle Paul issues a warning to the people of God concerning spiritual complacency. He reminds us of the great power and grace of God throughout Old Testament history, but also His wrath and punishment for unbelief and disobedience (specifically, conforming to idol worship). The good news is, though we all experience temptation, God is faithful, and won’t let us go through more than He’s prepared us to endure. We have no excuse. So, I’m thinking we could probably end our discussion right here and say we’ve heard enough. But if we did, we would miss one vitally important point: The faithfulness of God.
As was mentioned earlier, the most common response to great temptation is self indulgence. The weight of following God in tough circumstances often seems counterintuitive. But when we view our circumstances in light of the goodness of the Lord, what seems unproductive, countercultural and downright silly, becomes the most blessed experience of our lives.
Paul mentions the the Children of Israel crossing the Red Sea as an example of the Lord’s faithfulness. And it is. But can you imagine the trepidation, fear, anxiety and regret those standing there with the Egyptians coming from behind and deep water in front of them? The most common response would be to surrender and pray the army would be gracious. But now imagine the jubilation of seeing that army destroyed, the people crossing on dry land, and everyone rejoicing. I doubt anyone could even remember the negative feeling after all that.
Dear Child of God, that’s what God continues to do for each of us. The difficulties we experience today are simply stepping stones for the blessings on tomorrow. As we trust God, and follow His ways, we place ourselves in position to receive the glory He has prepared for those that love and follow Him. What would have been a common occurrence with less than great results, becomes a phenomenal opportunity in God’s hands. So the tears I’m crying, the trials I’m enduring, and pain I’m going through will soon become a thing of the past. We don’t serve a common God. Our God is phenomenal.
God bless
