The tempter’s temptation

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“That is the reason that, when I could bear [the suspense] no longer, I sent that I might learn [how you were standing the strain, and the endurance of] your faith, [for I was fearful] lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our toil [among you should prove to] be fruitless and to no purpose.” 1 Thessalonians 3v5 (AMP)

Sometimes in the face of adversity and affliction it is possible for one’s faith to be shaken. The enemy would indeed like you to turn back and not follow God anymore. You may begin to think – I did not sign up for this, if God really cared why is this happening to me and so on. We see with the children of Israel how God had delivered them with a mighty hand out of the oppression they had been facing in Egypt, and was leading them to the promised land. The first major crisis they encountered was at the Red Sea. The sea was in front of them and the Egyptians were chasing them from behind. Exodus 14v10-12 (NIV) says “As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”” In the face of adversity, like the children of Israel, one might be tempted to say such things as this, or I had it better when I was not a Christian, I should not have taken up this fight of faith and so on. But beloved, as we see with the Israelites, God was all along in control; He had a plan, and was actually the one who led them there (Exodus 14v1-3). Now there are times when we get into trouble when we sin and get out of the will of God, but when we are walking with the Lord, we need to retain the confident assurance that He knows our path and He is directing us. All will be well.

Supplementary Text

“Moses told the people, Fear not: stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.” Exodus 14v13-14 (AMP)

Prayer

I don’t know what you are going through today, but why don’t you take it to the Lord  in prayer, asking Him for guidance, direction, and to fight your battles for you.