I have been going through a rough stretch and I have been crying out to God for help and to show me the way through it. I want to thank all of my blogger friends out there for many times being part of God's answer to me. Your faithfulness is important. There is a Bible verse that has come to me in blogs four different times, in four different translations, this past couple of weeks. And, as I don't believe in coincidence, I'm taking notice.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (Blogged by Beholding Him Ministries https://beholdinghimministries.org/2023/02/23/hope-for-today-a-way-out-3/ )
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) -- (Blogged by Ellie https://newcreationsministries.wordpress.com/2023/02/27/travel-along-the-right-path/ )
Believers, we must remember that NOTHING can come against us without the Lord's knowledge of it before it ever happens. If the devil could destroy us at will, he would have wiped us out a long time ago because he hates man with a passion. But he does not have that power, so STAY IN THE FIGHT. God is faithful and will ALWAYS show you the way of escape. Keep this exhortation from God's Word before you: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." —1 Corinthians 10V13 NKJV – John Bevere https://www.facebook.com/JohnBevere.page/
And then, just in case I didn't get the message:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV (blogged by Chris Hendrix https://devotionsbychris.com/2023/03/03/god-our-provider/ )
But what, exactly, is God saying to me? The word translated "temptation" in this verse is peirasmos (πειρασμός). It means "putting to proof" by adversity or temptation (Strong's). "[A]dversity, affliction, trouble ... sent by God and serving to test or prove one's faith, holiness, character" (Thayer's).
Yes, adversity, affliction - testing - that has been my experience (and I hope I am passing the test, but fear I am not). But that is not the part that grabbed my attention. It was the "way out" or "way of escape" part. The word means "an exit (literally or figuratively) -- end, way to escape." That sounds good to me. I am ready for this trial to be over. I am looking for the exit. But I am not seeing one.
Yet, God promises that he will provide a way out. And he is faithful – trustworthy, sure, true. Picking up a wonderful book I have been reading I began to see how God provides this exit.
"… when the fallenness of the world closes in on us and makes us want to throw in the towel—there, right there, we have a Friend who knows exactly what such testing feels like, and sits close to us, embraces us. With us. Solidarity." ... "Not only can he alone pull us out of the hole of sin; he alone desires to climb in and bear our burdens. Jesus is able to sympathize. He 'co-suffers' with us." -- Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly
Yes, I want to throw in the towel a lot. But there He is, Jesus, faithful and true, right there with me. Understanding.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
Jesus is always there with me through everything, sympathizing, co-suffering. But God promises something more. He promises to make a way so that I will be able to "stand up under" the temptation. That is, to bear up under and endure. To "bear from underneath." Who does that? Who bears us up from underneath?
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, 'Destroy them!' Deuteronomy 33:27
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
I think I see the Exit light now. The exit is Jesus. It is always, always has been, always will be, Jesus. It is not so much that he will take me out of my situation - though nothing is impossible for him! - it is that he is the Way, the Gate, the Door. The Good Shepherd who carries me safely through as the wolf pack surrounds. Like John I lean back upon Jesus's chest, in the Everlasting Arms, though the hordes of Hell are descending. Jesus is the Door into this rest and peace. And I don't even have to drag myself through it. He carries me.
He carries you. Rest in his arms.
Photo of Glass Exit Sign from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
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