Day 2: Tempted and Tried
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).
Heavenly Father, faithful God, we proclaim Your power and Your majesty. You are awesome in Your sanctuary; You give power and strength to Your people. Praise be to God! (Psalm 68:34-35).
Lord, we often pray as the Savior taught us, 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one' (Matthew 6:13). Your word has promised that You hear that prayer—You will not tempt us beyond what we can bear, and You will provide for us a way out of temptation.
Father, We know that You do not tempt anyone to evil. The apostle James tells us, When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed (James 1:13-14).
But we know that we will endure difficult seasons—times when we are tempted and tried. James also assures us, Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).
Even the Lord Jesus, who had no evil desires, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1). And He showed us how to persevere, how to endure, how to take the way out. In response to all the devil's devious "ifs" He summoned the power of the word and definitively declared "It is written..." And at the end of the ordeal, angels came and attended Him (Matthew 4:11).
God, give us Your strength today for whatever temptation or trial we face. Help us through the bombardments of illness, suffering, grief, and physical or emotional pain. Help us through the onslaughts of doubt, anxiety fear, and worry. Help us through the attacks of unbelief, evil desires, and enticements to sin.
Give us the resolve of the psalmist, I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You (Psalm 119:11). Teach us to summon the never-failing power of Your inerrant word. Teach us to trust in Your deliverance. Give us the strength to endure. Take us safely through the wilderness.
Father, remind us that we share much of life in common. Teach us to carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2). Help us not to become so lost in our own experiences that we neglect the needs of others.
We lift up those who are weary of the fight, depleted by the struggle. Give them new power, new resolve, new hope. We bear them up to You, O God, on the wings of our prayers. Send Your attending angels to their aid. And help us to go where You send us to minister.
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