07.24

More on God's Faithfulness and His Promises "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 10:13)"

When we are considering the promises of God, it is invaluable to keep His faithfulness in
view. Our present verse helps us focus on the faithfulness of God, while offering more
promises from our God of promises.

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 question frequently 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 souls wants to tempt us into wrong responses like doubt, fear, or
compromise. On the other hand, in the same battles, the Lord wants to test us (to exercise
our faith). Appropriately, this one term can be used for both situations. Thus, in any
temptation or testing, we can be assured that our struggles are not unique. "No temptation
[or, testing] has overtaken you except such as is common to man." Whatever our struggle,
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 the pivotal issue in our impossibilities. Too often,
we find ourselves fainting at the challenges that we face. We sense our own unreliability.
We are concerned that we may prove unfaithful. 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 testings. 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 eventually provide a way out of the battle. He
"will also make the way of escape." If we respond in godly faith to the enemy's "mortar
shells," 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. Lord, help me to rest my
expectations on Your faithfulness, in Jesus' name, Amen."