Facing a Test and God's Promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13

"Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" (Good News Translation; New American Standard Bible).

This verse points out that we all face tests on this fallen sinful planet to one degree or another by way of a

• trial,
• trouble,
• tribulation or
• terribly horrific ordeal.

Whatever the intensity of the test, the promise is given that our faithful God will provide the spiritual strength to endure it and thereby pass the test, when we keep trusting Him.  The "way of escape" may not be out from under the test but always must include renewing our faith and confidence in the Word of God and His promises, knowing that He will provide endurance when we are trusting in Him to do so.

Sometimes we might think that the test is too much.  It just seems that there is no hope and we cannot see how God will see us through it.  When this is where we are, the key to renewing faith in God is to bring ourselves to the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ and remember what our God did for us there.  Bring to mind that He chose to come to this wretched sinful world as a man to serve us.  Keep in mind what we are told in Philippians 2:

" . . . Although Christ Jesus existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God something to which He would completely hold on to, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

When we focus on the truth of the depth of God's love for us that He so clearly demonstrated by being united with true humanity so that He could serve us and deliver us from sin and its effects by His suffering and death, this should help us renew our trust in Him to see us through the test we are facing.

This one thing we can count on for sure:  we are going to be tested.  This is a huge part of life as it is on planet earth.  But the Lord Jesus will give us the grace to endure the tests, if--and this is a big if--if we keep on placing our confidence in Him and His Spirit and in His Word and not in our strength or ability.  May we not be like the children of Israel who failed miserably in doing this (1 Corinthians 10:1ff.).  And may we be alert to the deceptive thinking that we can face whatever tests may come in our own strength (10:12).