“There has 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 you are able—but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
I Corinthians 10:13
If this isn’t true, then nothing else matters; if it is true—and it is—it makes all the difference in the world.
“God is faithful.”
What do you think when you read or say those words aloud, dear Pilgrim: “God is faithful”? How easily do they roll off your tongue or find lodging in your heart? Our response depends upon our faith/trust.
You see, there are no other three words anywhere in life or the Bible that are any more important than these three words. Why is that? Simply because everything else is up for grabs if God is not faithful.
Think of it:
If God is not faithful, then we’ll always be wondering if He’s ALWAYS loving. . .just. . .holy . . .righteous. . .merciful. . .longsuffering, etc. If He’s not forever faithful, then He may one day act those ways and another day have a “bad God day” and capriciously change.
But, thank God such is not the case with the one, true-and-living God! A thousand times no! Hallelujah!!
Yes, the God of Abraham is a faithful God Who keeps His Word and Promises! He “cannot/ will not lie” (Heb. 12:18), for that would make Him less than God. But, praise His Holy Name, it’s because of “His Mercies that we’re not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Great is His Faithfulness!” (Lam. 3:21-23). Glory!!
And, it’s because of His Rock-solid, never-changing Faithfulness that we can have Hope and Assurance during difficult times. The KJV word used here—“temptation”—comes from the Grk. word “periasmos” and really means “a putting to the test, to be tried, to scrutinize, examine, etc.” Thus, it’s those “fiery furnace” experiences that “take (Grk. ‘lambano’—‘to overtake, violently seize, catch hold of, etc.’) us” like some terrorist in the shadows.
We may not see them coming; but our faithful God does.
And, He has promised that they’re not unique to us—i.e., they’re “common to men”—but He will not “suffer/permit us to be tempted/tried above that which we are able (to bear), but will WITH the difficulty also make a way of escape that we may be able to bear (Grk. ‘hupophero’—‘to carry the load from underneath, endure, undergo hardship, etc.’) it.”
How important it is to remember this when our troubles and cares are weighing us down. Truly, He IS faithful—and He always knows our needs and limitations. Therefore, rest in Him today, Pilgrim, even as clay rests quietly on the Potter’s wheel (Jer. 18:1-6). Even though He’s allowed the hardships and heartaches you’re going through, He’ll still use them for your good and His Glory (Rom. 8:28). Trust Him.
December 30, 2012
