"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR LONELY HEARTS"
1st Cor 10:13 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.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. This is promise from God to His children. Let's take a close look at what is said in this verse.
(1) "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;" Or put another way, "the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience." This is comforting and helpful. Because, when we are going through a time of trial or temptation, we can often feel and think that we are the only ones going through such a situation. But, not so. Other's go through temptations and trials as well.
The fact is, these things are common to man.
(2) "but God is faithful," Or God is dependable and can be trusted. So, if you are in a trial right now, a temptation, related to having a lonely heart, Your God is Faithful. He is with You, and You can count on Him. Paul goes on now to explain what You can count on God to do since He is faithful and dependable.
(3) "who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able," Or again, to put it another way, "He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it." This is one thing we can always depend on. God knows your limitations. It may seem otherwise, but God's Word is the truth about everything.
(4) "but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." Again, to say it another way, "When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." It is not saying, that God will take you out of the trial or temptation, but that in it, He will show you a way to bear it.
Remember, He is faithful and can be depended on, and He never lives, it's impossible for Him to lie.
(5) One last thing that is not in this verse, but it's all through Scripture, that God will use our trials and temptations to help us grow and become strong and stedfast. That's why the Bible says in
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
James 1:3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
James 1:4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for being faithful to us. Thank You for speaking to us in and through Your Word. Thank You that Your Word is truth, and that You cannot lie. Thank You for this promise. And, we pray this morning for all those we know ( and it could be ourselves ) who have a lonely heart, that this wonderful verse would be a real comfort and help to them at this time. Please make it hit home like never before. In Jesus name . Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
