LOOK FOR GOD (1 Corinthians 10:13) LOOK FOR GOD – He’s there. The apostle Paul gives us hope in this verse of Scripture. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
The LONGER you meditate on this verse, the BIGGER the shadow looming over it becomes. It is God who towers over this passage: God is there all the time. He tells us He is faithful. When we think we are alone, we are not alone. God has already measured and limited the attack upon us. He has already provided an escape route if we will only look for it and take it. If it were just us facing temptation, we would be hopelessly defeated. But God knows that already and so He is there. All the time. All the way. Every time. And He has the best way out marked for us. What a Mighty God we serve!
A father once told of his son’s first serious conflict at school. His boy was being picked on by two or three bullies. They punched the youngster a time or two, pushed him over when he was riding his bike home from school, and generally made life miserable for the lad. They told him they would meet him the next morning and beat him up.
That evening the dad really worked with the boy at home. He showed him how to defend himself, passed along a few helpful techniques, and even gave him some tips on how he might try to win them over as friends. The next morning the lad and dad prayed together knowing that the inevitable was sure to happen. With a reassuring embrace and a firm handshake, the father smiled confidently and said, “You can do it, Son. I know you’ll make out all right.”
Choking back the tears, the boy got on his bike and began the lonely, long ride to school. What the boy did not know was that every block he rode he was under the watchful eye of his dad…who drove his car a safe distance from his son, out of sight but ever ready to speed up and assist if the scene became too threatening. The boy thought he was alone, but he wasn’t at all. The father was there all the time.
And in even greater measure, the God of the Universe has gone ahead. He has been tempted in every way like us and triumphed. He has joined us in every temptation and makes the way of victory marked and open for us. Look for God! He is always faithful!
WHERE should we look for God?
1. We need to look for God when we are on THE MOUNTAIN OF DESPAIR like Abraham. When we do we find GOD SUPPLIES ME. Genesis 22:1-14
2. We need to look for God when we are in THE DEN OF PASSION like Joseph. When we do we find GOD SEES ME. Genesis 39:1-9
3. We need to look for God when we are in THE CAVE OF FEAR like David. When we do we find GOD SUPPORTS ME. Psalm 142; 56
4. We need to look for God when we are in THE SPOTLIGHT OF PRIDE like Daniel. When we do we find GOD SENDS ME. Daniel 2:24-28
5. We need to look for God when we ARE SINKING IN THE FURY OF THE STORM like Peter. When we do we find GOD SAVES ME. Matthew 14:24-31
6. We need to look for God when we are in THE GRIP OF PAIN like Paul. When we do we find GOD IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME. II Corinthians 12:7-10
7. We need to look for God when we are in THE GLOOM OF FAILURE like Jeremiah. When we do we find GOD IS SHAPING ME. Jeremiah 18:1-6
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