“For no temptation, no trial
regarded as enticing to sin, no matter how it comes or where it leads, has
overtaken you and laid hold on
you that is not common to man: That is, no temptation or trial has come to you
that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and
belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear. But God is faithful to
His Word and to His compassionate nature, and He can be trusted not to let you
be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the
temptation He will always also provide the way out, the means of escape to a
landing place, that you may be capable and
strong and powerful to bear up
under it patiently.” (1 Cor. 10:13, Amplified Bible)
Point One: God personally
adjusts and adapts temptation to sin, ensuring it is common to the human
experience and bearable. Just as in the time of Job He sets both the type and
limits of satan’s attacks.
Point Two: God will not
allow us to be tempted beyond our ability and strength to resist or power to
endure. In this He is faithful and can be trusted.
Point Three: God will always
provide a way out, an escape to a safe landing place, a strong tower of refuge.
Point Four: We will be – all
of us – tempted (to enticed to sin), tried (to test), and assayed (to determine
the quality of). God brings us through adversity and affliction in order to
encourage and prove our faith and confidence in Him, and conform us, through
our growing submission and dependence, into “the image (nature) of His Son.” (Rom. 8:29) Temptation and trials are
simply sculpturing tools used by God, the Master Potter, to transform us into
vessels of honor fit for Kingdom use.
Point Five: God’s purpose is
that we become capable and strong and powerful, that our faith increases and
grows strong through use as we bear up under the enemy’s attacks patiently.
And, our faith – our shield during bad times -- pleases God who rewards us, as
we “diligently seek Him”,
with more faith (Heb.
11:6). Temptations
and trials not only test, approve and grow our faith, changing us from the
inside out, but also grow our power to endure… for we “have need of endurance.”
(Heb. 10:36)
Note: Endurance
is consistency, perseverance, steadfastness, the capacity to bear up under
difficult circumstances, not with passive complacency, but with a hopeful
fortitude that actively resists worry, fear, doubt, weariness and defeat.
THE LANDING PLACE
OUR DADDY’S ARMS…
THERE IS NO SAFER PLACE TO BE!
