“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
1 Corinthians 10, begins with Paul reminding the church of God’s deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. Although they traveled together as a physically unified group led by Moses, most ignored the spiritual connection to YAHWEH that unified them. God had delivered them from slavery and provided them with all their needs on their journey, yet they forsook God and turning instead to idol worship and practicing sexual immorality. These same temptations were common to Corinth 1500 years after the Exodus. This is why Paul can say with authority that the temptations Corinth was facing were nothing new. Also, not new was God’s faithfulness. What is true to Corinth is still true today, the same old temptations and tests are still hanging around and God’s faithfulness still remains unchanged. Although at times it seems a struggle, we have the promise that God will not let us be tested beyond our ability. God has provided us with a “way of escape”, an exodus, from temptation. We have been graced with God’s love, the Holy Spirit as our guide, and Jesus as our intercessor.
God, we thank for your faithfulness and love for us. Forgive, us God for often like the children of Israel, we yield to temptations turning away from you instead of to you. We ask for your help in overcoming the temptations we may face today and deliver us from evil. Amen.
