God's Strength in the Face of Temptation

All praise to You, Lord, for Your victory over sin and death . . . and for keeping us strong while we wait for Jesus’ triumphant return.

It’s always a good strategy to know one’s enemy. We’ve seen, for instance, that Satan is quite a wise, scheming, and skilled marksman. The Deceiver is also very persistent in his efforts to discourage, if not dissuade, God’s people. He also attacks God’s people as the Tempter.

You can insulate yourself from temptation for only so long. At some point you have to get out there, plant your own two feet upon that rock, and resist. Once, then twice. Ten times, then twenty-five. Thirty times, then fifty, till your flesh submits and your enemy gives up on that front and quits.

Sooner or later, relying on the power of Christ acting through you, you’re going to have to face your foe and win. You can’t just run from him and hide, because he’ll keep showing up wherever you go.

Details from my life remind me of that fact regularly. I’ve encountered bears in Wyoming and gators in Florida. And there are hurricanes in Houston. Tornadoes in Kansas. Earthquakes in California. Avalanches in Everest. Tsunamis in Asia. Welcome to life on our planet.

Wherever you go, there’s a foe.

Omnipotent. Omniscient. Omnipresent. . . . All-powerful. All-knowing. Always everywhere. . . . Sounds like exactly the kind of God we need on a planet where our foe is wherever we go.

Lord, the enemy will keep showing up, but I know You will always be with me. Keep me mindful of that truth in the moment, whatever foe or temptation I’m facing.

* * *

Your Turn

When have you experienced God’s strength in the face of temptation? What do you say when skeptics ask about a loving God allowing trouble throughout the planet? As God commands, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

Please leave your answers to Beth’s questions in our comments section below! ~ Devotionals Daily