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

Paul wrote this verse in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:13) to encourage them in their faith and remind them of God’s faithfulness. He wanted to remind them that they were not alone in facing temptations and that God would always provide a way for them to overcome and endure. It was a message of hope and reassurance for the believers then and now.

We cannot get through life without challenges. Scripture acknowledges that challenges and trials are a part of our journey. In James 1:2-4, it says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This passage reminds us that challenges can actually strengthen our character and faith, leading to growth and maturity. So, while life may have its difficulties, we can find hope and purpose in navigating through them with God’s help.

The Bible is filled with examples of challenges that people faced. One well-known example is the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph encountered numerous challenges throughout his life, including being sold into slavery by his own brothers, being falsely accused and imprisoned, and facing the temptation to betray his integrity. However, through God’s faithfulness and Joseph’s unwavering trust in Him, he eventually rose to a position of power and was able to save his family and the entire nation of Egypt from famine.

One other notable example is the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. After fasting for 40 days and nights, Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread, to test God’s protection by jumping off the pinnacle of the temple, and to worship the devil in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world. However, Jesus resisted these temptations and remained faithful to God. This story emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s strength to overcome temptation. Here, Jesus relied on the word of God to resist the devil’s temptations, this is something we can all learn from our Lord.

This message is a reminder that we can all rest in the hope that our Lord will not leave us to a temptation that is beyond us, and for the ones that we encounter, He provides a way out if we rely on Him entirely. It is my prayer that we will remember this in our challenging times and rely on God for guidance. In Jesus name, Amen.