Daily Devotions
The Way of Escape
Title: The Way of Escape
Reading for June 20: Psalms 81-88
Weekly reading for June 17-23: 1 Corinthians 7-11
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:13-14
There's a story about a man who was caught in a flood. Heavy rains brought a local river dangerously close to overflowing. Authorities encouraged an evacuation.
The man believed in God and so he was praying for protection. A van came by and offered to take him to safety. He declined their help. "God is the only help I need," he replied, "Go help someone else."
Heavy rain continued to fall and the river started to overflow. Rescuers came in a boat. The man was still on his knees praying and when they encouraged him to move to higher ground he continued to insist that God would save him. Once again, he refused their help.
Before long the man was on top of his roof. Still on his knees praying, a helicopter came and let down a rope ladder. They urged him to grab hold, yet the man remained confident that God would save him without their aid. They left him there on his roof.
The man drowned. He was incredulous when he appeared before God. He asked the Lord, "Why didn't you rescue me? Didn't you hear me praying?"
The Lord replied, "I sent you a van, a boat, and a helicopter! What else did you want?"
Are you praying for help with temptation? If you are that's good, but it's not enough. You must also take God's way of escape.
Father, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil!
