When we think about it, as daughters of the King we should be
able to say to one another, “Can we talk?” There's a great need for more heartfelt
conversations among us spoken in love and truth.
Well, today I want to talk about something that’s on my
heart, but something I think we can all relate to in some way.
For years I heard the Bible said (and quoted myself), “God
doesn’t give you more than you can bear.”
Then one day, I realized I had been reading the Bible long enough I should have seen that scripture somewhere by now. I began to ask people, “Where in the Bible does it say that?” (Yes, this was pre-Biblegateway.com.) No one could tell me. And that’s because the Bible doesn’t say it. It’s another one of those things that we’ve heard, it sounded good and we repeated—especially to encourage someone in hard times.
Some people use, I
Corinthians 10:13 to back it up. “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.” But this verse is really talking about God
not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we can handle by giving us a way to not
give into it. But you see girls; too often the hard times that come our way can be
traced back to our own sin, poor decisions, mistakes and poor choices.
Not always, but
often.
Let me give you an example. Having a baby that is still born
(or sleeping) is one of the most grieves things to experience. Losing a child
at anytime is. But when we experience this in having a child out of wedlock, it
is an experience we put ourselves in place to have. Not God. I love both of my
daughters dearly, (and God forbid) but if I were to have to bury one of them
before I die, it would be a life experience, I set myself up for because I was
not married. (And if done God’s way, I would not have children.) God, would not
be punishing me, but all sin has consequences and therefore some of the very
trying and hard times are our own doing—not God’s.
The past few weeks, I have found myself being tempted to
respond to some life situations not in accordance with the Word of God. Some of
the temptations I laughed at. The temptation to be petty, (a tit for tat) or telling
someone off and putting them in their place! I was able to thank God; I am no
longer that person and see how far I have come. But, I didn’t sail through them
all. Could I have? Yes! Because I Corinthians 10:13, tells me I can.
We are tempted daily! Tempted to lie, cheat, steal, cuss
folks out, get revenge, act childish, be petty, unforgiving, malicious,
envious, hateful, mean spirited, drink too much, use drugs, be unfaithful to
our spouses, lose our tempers and so much more. But the most dangerous is the temptation
to not trust or believe God. We are tempted during the trials and tribulations
of life (especially those we have no control over) to give up, or be like Job’s
wife—curse God and die.
But the wonderful news to all of this is…once you become a
resident of the Kingdom, (a daughter of the King of kings) you have all of God’s
promises! That’s where we are able to make it through—no matter what. This is
our way of escape!
Yes, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins, no matter
how heinous they might have been, but that doesn’t negate the consequences we will
suffer because of them. He forgives the murderer, but it doesn’t mean you will
not still be executed by your state. He forgives the prostitute, but it doesn’t
mean you will not die of Aids. But it does mean—you still get to spend eternity
with Him!
In reading and studying our Bibles, we get to know the God
of the Bible and are able to count on Him never leaving or forsaking us in the
hard times—whether it is of our own doing—or not. But we also get to know that
He is a God of His word. David didn’t get away, and he was a man after God’s
own heart. David and his family paid a high price for his disobedience and poor
choices.
Sisters, let’s stop repeating what we hear and read our
Bibles more, so when we do say something, it will be the correct Word of God.
The Word that breaks yokes, saves the lost and heals the brokenhearted.
If you want to start your day off with an affirmation,
(which is a good thing to do), let it be what the Bible says and what will
change your life! (Nowhere does it say we are to look for checks in the mail
and such other foolishness.) Let’s try, “Lord I will be a light to the lost
today! I will trust you today and fear not!” Let’s be about the business of
serving God and making our days a service unto Him.
Some of us could use more joy in our lives. And knowing the
God of the Bible and holding to His Word is where we find that joy—especially during
the hard times. Amen!
Until next week...
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