Daily Devotional for Friday December 17, 1999

The Path of Escape

(1 Corinthians 10:1) Every day it is my pleasure to pray for people worldwide who write asking me to agree with them in prayer to overcome this sin or that sin. God is able to empower us to rise above sin, and prayer is the starting point to that empowerment. The Bible tells us something very specific and direct in today?s verse. First it tells us that God will not tempt us beyond what we can bear, which is encouraging. That means He knows our breaking point. I say this as a word of encouragement to all out there going through the fire right now. God knows your breaking point. You may feel like giving up, that you can?t handle any more. But trust His words. He knows you and promised to not tempt you beyond what you are able to bear.

The second part of that promise is what I want to focus on. He always has a path of escape prepared for us. Always! Here is my challenge to you today and the place where you need to just sit down and be honest with yourself. Do you really want to walk down the path of escape? I know in your heart you hate sin and want to live holy before God. But in the midst of your temptation, in the midst of your desire to sin, when God shows you the path of escape, do you close your eyes and pretend not to see it? From my own life, I can tell you that most of the time God not only shows me the path once, but twice, three times, maybe more, but the Bible only promises that one time, so I warn you not to play spiritual roulette with God. The question I ask you today still remains, when you see the path of escape, do you take it . . . or keep going right by it?

The Holy Spirit is telling me to say no more. This is such a clear and simple, very uncomplicated word from God for your life today. I will be praying that you will be honest with yourself. I pray today that when you admit you have seen the path but chosen not to take it, that you will seek His strength and forgiveness. I pray that you will ask for and find His strength to walk down the path of escape He has provided in the future. It is never too late. God is waiting. It is your decision, your choice. Feel free to write me and let me agree with you in prayer for His strength to walk the path of escape, the path to victory, instead of staying on the road of destruction.