Way of Escape

One of my favorite verses in Scripture is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. 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. I see three key thoughts in that verse, upon which to meditate. First of all, there is the incredible thought that as difficult as the present trial may seem, I'm definitely not the first person to experience such a problem. Secondly, it is the faithfulness of our God that limits the intensity and duration of the trial to our specific level of endurance. Thirdly, tied directly into those facts, He provides a way of escape, to enable the bearing of that trial. If you are thinking through those three thoughts, I suspect that you have come up with a common question, "What is the way of escape?" Let's think theologically through that together. Ultimately, His all- sufficient grace gives us the answer to that question. In what ways might we see the grace of God applied to our individual lives, as a way of escape, enabling us to bear a difficult trial? Certainly, the acrostic of GOD'S RESOURCES AT CRISIS ENCOUNTERS brings us clarity. HIS strength, HIS joy, HIS peace are the gifts o His grace to us. James says that as we draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to us (4:8). Therefore, in times of trial, as we keep our mind on Him, He gives us perfect peace. (Isa. 26:3) In the final analysis, the way of escape in any trial is simply biblical behavior. That simply means that following repentance, we restructure our former sinful habit patterns into new ones of righteousness, ordering our steps according to His Word. As we walk to please Him, He brings helpers to bear our burdens with us. He provides physicians, pharmacists, and other medical personnel to walk along beside us to answer questions and give guidance in health matters. It is from His good hand that just the right people cross our paths, as needed, in matters of finance, plumbing, electrical dilemmas, etc. So what is the way of escape? It is the faithful promised provision of God to His children, so that they have His ability to endure the various trials with His joy. In so doing, He is glorified and others are pointed to the onmniscient, ommipotent, omnipresent, all-wise, sovereign Lord. May God help you today, in whatever trial you may face, to remember His faithful promise to provide a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

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