My devotion this morning was about ‘running with patience’, now there is a contradiction in terms! My favorite devotional is called Streams in the Dessert and if you want to read today’s entry (October 30) about running with patience you can check it out for yourself.
And just why is it so hard to run with patience? Because we are tempted to try to make things happen in our own time, instead of simply continuing to run to the goal that God has called us to, trusting him to bring everything about in his own good timing.
For me right now, ‘running with patience’ involves waiting for my precious devotional book ‘My Bible Tells Me So’ to come out. I am tempted to call the publishing house (every day) and say ‘so what’s the hold up?’ I am not even sure how long it will be yet. I finished it by the beginning of September and there have been a few revisions, and now one last revision, but oh, the waiting! After such an intensive, extensive, and devoted project my life is suddenly empty of purpose. I was sort of running the whole time I was writing but now maybe I am still running but with a different reason, running with patience, is that even possible? I always thought waiting implied sitting around quietly, but not in this scripture.
All that being said, I thought I might give us both a taste of what is to come. I sometimes forget that I wrote 365 devotions this past year so I think I will visit one of my favorites and share it with you.
This is one of 365 devotions from my soon to be published devotional ‘My Bible Tells Me So’.
September 23
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 10:13
HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. But why does he allow us to be tempted at all? Have you ever wondered about that? I have.
Temptation is the great equalizer. No one is exempt. But be assured that no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. My Bible tells me so. Since we have this in common we should be more understanding towards each other when we are tempted.
If we weren’t tempted we wouldn’t need God to show up and not only help us endure it but also provide a way out. Our need for God is key to our having a relationship with him. If we didn’t need him, we wouldn’t bother with him. As well, if we didn’t realize our need for him then he might not bother with us.
But as Paul reminds us – God is faithful. I’m so thankful that he is. But I’m not sure why he has not delivered me from my temptation to eat too much sugar (especially ice cream), but wait, have I asked? Do I really want to give it up? I’ll have to think about that.
No matter what temptation you are facing, you can trust God to help.
Don’t give up.
