A Great Reason to Thank God – August 14, 2024

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5,11-13

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:12,13

A Great Reason to Thank God

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Olivia scrunched her eyebrows together, her tongue stuck as if in the air. She was concentrating so hard. Olivia was three years old and learning how to tie her shoelaces for the first time. “I can help,” her older sister offered. But Olivia swatted her hand away. “No,” she stubbornly replied, “I don’t want help.”

Do you remember learning how to tie your shoes for the first time? I’s part of being a child, isn’t it? You’re learning so much in your growing-up years! Someday, you can look back at all the help your parents and teachers gave you.

Maybe because we spend so much of our lives learning to be independent, that we don’t like to rely on others—like Olivia. She didn’t want anyone to help her. She wanted to do it herself. But tying shoelaces isn’t the same as facing temptations. Do you know what a temptation is? It’s the desire to do something wrong. For example, a box of chocolates is on the kitchen counter. You’re told, “Don’t eat them unless you ask first.” So you ask! But the answer is, “Wait, until after supper.” But you can’t take your eyes off the beautiful chocolates. It’s too much! When no one is watching, you sneak one. Why did you do it? The temptation, the desire for chocolate, was stronger than the desire to obey.

God doesn’t want you to go it alone in moments of temptation. God doesn’t want you to live life by yourself without anyone’s help. He puts us together in families so we can build each other up. Together, we can resist temptation by watching out for one another and pointing each other to Jesus—the source of our strength to overcome temptation.

“I can do it myself” is a beautiful thing. Someday, dear child, you will be grown up and independent. But being dependent on God is a beautiful thing too. And don’t forget the greatest blessing of all—a Father who provides a way out when it seems too heavy to bear. God is faithful. He will provide a way. Take his hand. Depend on him.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me family members who watch out for me. Help me lean on them and, more importantly, lean on you as we face trials and temptations. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What is the one thing you are told “no,” but want so badly?
• The next time you want to pout or cry when you don’t get what you want, think of another way you might respond.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why is it so comforting to know that God will not let you be tested beyond what you can handle?
• How is your family a great source of help when you face temptation?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Today’s devotion said that “God is faithful.” What does that mean? And give an example that proves it.
• TRUE or FALSE: Satan can tempt you, but he can’t make you sin.