The Word Says:
“There hath 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 ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Verse Thoughts:
What marvellous words of encouragement are couched throughout Scripture and here we discover God’s sufficient grace is available to all His children in the midst of the various trials and temptations that we all have to face during our earthly sojourn.
God does not promise to keep our lives free from difficulties and danger. He does not pledge to exempt us from fiery trials and troublesome temptations – nor even to prevent persecution, but He does undertake to limit its intensity and to provide a way of escape, so that we may be able to bear it.
These are truly heartening words that have helped to bring consolation and comfort to generations of believers – young and old, who have clung to this precious promise as a spiritual life-line, knowing that His grace is sufficient for all eventualities and that His sufficient grace will expand and multiply to encompass every and all temptations, trials and tribulations that we may be called upon to endure in this life.
This particular verse is preceded by a section that uses Israel wilderness wanderings as a witness and warning to the church. Israel was saved out of Egypt’s oppression by grace through faith in God’s word. And all who obeyed and applied the blood of the Passover lamb were passed over by the angel of death. Like Israel we too have been saved by grace through faith in God’s Word and cleansed by the blood of the perfect Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world and triumphed over death – for all who trust in Him.
But following their miraculous escape from slavery in Egypt and God’s covenant to provide for all their needs, some turned away from the God of their salvation and became idolotors. Some turned to sexual immorality and some grumbled, complained and spoke evil against the Lord – they did not trust God to provide for their needs and Paul used Israel’s lack of faith in the wilderness as a warning to the Church against unbelief.
God’s promises to Israel and those to the Church stand fast for ever and ever. And God has promised that no temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape, so that you will be able to endure it.
Let us never forget that the temptations and trials in our lives are no different from what others experience – and God is faithful and has promised that He will not allow the temptation to be more than we can bear – but in His grace will provide a way out of it, so that we can endure it.