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 bear under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
When you or I are considering the promises of God, it is invaluable to keep His faithfulness in view. Our present verse helps us focus not on our temptation, trial or testing; but focus on the faithfulness of God and His promises to us.
The setting for our meditation is temptations or (testings). “No temptation has overtaken you.” It is interesting to note that this word translated temptation could also be rendered as “testing.” This gives insight into the frequently asked question raised during difficult times: ‘Is this the enemy, or is this the Lord?” In the midst of the battles of life, the enemy of our soul wants to tempt us into wrong responses like doubt, fear, or compromise. Yet, God uses all things to work together for our good, by tests to exercise our faith in Him. Appropriately, this is one place in Scripture which can be used in both situations. Thus, in any temptation or testing, we can be assured that our struggles are not unique. Because “No temptation {or, testing} has overtaken you except such as is common to man.” Whatever we struggle with, the Lord has dealt with it innumerable times before.
More significant than the commonplace nature of our difficulties is the faithfulness of God: “but God is faithful.” This is pivotal to our belief and trust in God, inspite of our impossibilities. Too often, we find ourselves fearful and doubtful at the challenges we’re facing. We sense or own inadequate strength and lack of resources as unreliable. We are concerned that we may prove to be unfaithful when we keep our eyes on ourselves instead of looking to the Lord. God wants us to concentrate on His faithfulness.
After reminding us of God’s faithfulness, the Spirit brings forth two promises that provide hope to those in temptations and testing’s. First, God will not allow battles that are inappropriate for our stage of spiritual growth. “He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.” Second, God will lead the way out of your battle. He “will also make the way of escape.” If we respond in godly faith to the enemy’s fiery arrows, the Lord will not allow him to destroy us. Whatever the difficulty involves, the Lord will see us through “that you may be able to bear it.” We can count on God fulfilling these promises, because “God is faithful.”
Dear Lord, Thank You for exposing the lie of the enemy that my trials are unique. Thank You for promising to see me through and bring me out from underneath it’s condemning weight. Lord, help me to rest my expectations on Your faithfulness, and for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
