Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Temptation a blessing?

A few mornings ago while reading Psalm 134, I felt drawn to the thought of God's blessing us from verse 3. Last night had been a hard time of temptation for me and when I came to that verse, it occurred to me that temptations could be understood as blessings. Of course I know that according to James 1:13 that God doesn't tempt, but we do know from many other scriptures that God does test us, God's followers and children of God through God's Son, Jesus Christ. And many times God's test feels like temptation to us. So here's the journal entry I made that morning:

God, is it really a blessing to be tempted? You seem to be saying that to me this morning. To be tempted is to be disciplined and God disciplines those God loves (Hebrews 12:6). So, temptation is a sign that You love me? To be tempted is also to be pruned and God prunes those who are bearing fruit (John 15:1). Fruit of character (Galations 5:22-23), not just of fellow followers of Christ. In addition, I know that You have promised that any temptation that comes my way is not beyond me, as long as I stay true to You, and that You will provide a way out of it (1Corinthians 1:13), even something as simple as doing something else or better yet turning away from the source of the temptation and turning back to You, the Source of all that is truly Life (John 10:10). Satan may be sending those temptations because he knows that's my area of weakness, yet You are saying, "Turn to Me in your weakness, and I will be your strength (2Corinthians 12:7-10). I will make you strong enough to bear through it. I will use this experience to hone you, to prune you, to discipline you, to strengthen and build you up in My loving truth and to mold you into the man I created you to be through the power of Jesus Christ, My Son." Yes, to be tempted is truly a blessing, for it is an opportunity to grow strong in You, Jesus. Help me to see every temptation that comes my way in this light and to always turn to You. In Your Name, Jesus, amen.