Temptations!

Hello everyone,

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

Primary Text

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:” 1 Peter 1v6 (KJV)

While we have great cause to rejoice – the hope we have, the benefits of the Lord, the victories, as believers, we often go through times of temptations, tribulations and trials. A time when you may even begin to wonder, does God love me? Sometimes, it may bring cause for sorrow and heaviness of heart. Job for instance went through a very trying season, losing his children and his resources, and getting boils on his body. Even his wife told him to curse God and die (Job 2v9). Abraham and Sarah had to wait on God for a child for years, while Joseph worked as a servant and went to prison before the dreams he had seen were realized. But regardless of whatever temptations we experience, we should remember always that Jesus loves us, and He cares. Never give in to the temptation to stop following the Lord because of the temptations we are going through. Job’s response to his wife was “… Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (Job 2v10-11). Even Jesus was tempted by the devil, but He responded with the Word of God. Beloved, know God’s Word, so that regardless of what temptations and trials you face, you hold on to His Word. Remember always that “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” 1 Corinthians 10v18 (KJV) and “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,…” (2 Peter 2v9).

Supplementary Text

“Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all], on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22]. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset – rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the dominion (power, authority, rule) forever and ever, Amen (so be it).” 1 Peter 5v6-11 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, I thank You for making a way of escape for every temptation that I experience. Father, please grant me the grace to see this way of escape and to take it. Grant me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You in Jesus name, amen.