On Sunday morning I found myself running a little behind schedule for church. However, the blouse I wanted to wear had fallen off the hanger in the closet and was a wrinkled ball of mess and needed ironing. As I ironed it I remembered years ago one of my sons telling me as I ironed his shirt that he was in a hurry and I should just iron the front as he was wearing a jacket and the front was all anyone would see. The Lord really spoke to my heart through this as He often does through everyday life and analogies. I simply could not iron only the part of my blouse that would be seen by others because I knew the other areas were a wrinkled mess. It would bother me that the rest of the blouse was not ironed even though others could not see it. Lord, let this be my heart's cry about my inward man as much as it is my outward man. May my heart not be satisfied in sin or in continual struggle even when others cannot see it. May my heart grieve at what grieves Yours.
I am so grateful for a God that allowed His son to be exposed to the same temptations and struggles I am exposed to and tempted by. And now my Blessed Savior sits at the right Hand of our Father and He makes intercession for me and He knows exactly what I'm facing because He too faced the same struggles and temptations. So, He has compassion and mercy on me. At the same time, He is encouraging my heart and reminding me that I can have victory over sin.
The Word of God says, "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." 1 Corinthians 10:13 God has given us an escape hatch or an evacuation route but we must choose that way of escape if we want to lay hold of the victory. Often we hear in the news of victims of natural disasters that meet their untimely death for not evacuating when warned to do so. I recently read in a news article that Department of Defense officials have ordered the implementation of improved lighting inside combative tanks so that our soldiers can clearly see the escape hatch and take necessary action when needed to save their lives. In the same way the Holy Spirit inside of us illuminates the way of escape the Lord has provided for us. If the soldier clearly sees his way of escape but does not avail himself of it, he will perish. Much like we are in danger of perishing in our choice for sin over selecting the escape hatch that God has provided for us.
Dear reader, do you have an area in your life that you seem to struggle with and become discouraged for lack of victory? Perhaps it is an unconventional type of temptation such as unforgiveness or bitterness. When temptation knocks on your door, look for your escape hatch. Search for your evacuation route. The Lover of your Soul will meet you there and show you the way. He longs to see you have victory over sin and walk in His glorious freedom and grace. I, too, am asking for His mercy and compassion as I am guilty far too often of not selecting the way of escape He has provided for me.
Father, forgive me for the times that I have chosen the way of temptation and sin over the way of escape. Thank You that when I am weak, You are strong in me and help me remember in my times of temptation and struggle that You have provided a glorious way of escape for me and I can rejoice in choosing that way of escape because it will please You and my greatest desire this side of eternity is to please You my Lord. Help this dear reader as well in clearly selecting the way of escape You have provided.
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
