Transformed – teen devotion – March 20, 2022

One truth shared: Even when we lose our way because of temptation, God promises to provide a way out.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And 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

False Security Is Crushed by Faithful Presence

It’s a commonly asked question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Why would God allow something bad to happen to us—his followers? When trouble or hardships come into our lives, we often find it easier to question or even blame God than to trust in him. And this is not unique to us, the Israelites did it too.

When the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, they grumbled and complained about food. God gave them food. They grumbled and complained about that food. They chose to ignore God’s way and faced severe consequences as a result. Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Ask yourself, ”Why do people repeat the same mistake over and over?”

Maybe the question ought to be, “Why do I repeatedly make the same mistake over and over?” In some way and to varying degree, our lives imitate what others have gone through. People of all ages have grumbled and complained. You are not the first to face similar “pet sins” through life. They never seem to really go away. How easy to think, “I can conquer this sin, after all, didn’t God say I wouldn’t be tempted beyond what I can bear?” Later, I end up eating those words when I succumb to temptation.

Here’s the painful truth: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” What an ugly mess life becomes when the agenda for our lives gets disconnected from God’s agenda. Listen to God’s warning, “If you thnk you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

But here’s another truth: “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.” What way out is that? It’s the gospel message that Jesus was tempted in every way as we are. Where we failed, he succeeded. He made right all our wrongs.

God know the limits to your strength and power. Trust that in the moment of temptation, he will help you stand up under its weight so you don’t fall.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are times you allow hardships to be part of my life. Too often, I grumble or complain about them. When facing temptation, I give up too easily. Help me remember that Jesus is my way back to you. And in the moment of hardship and temptation, be faithful in your promise to help me bear it and overcome with your strength. Amen.


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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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