The Invitation: In the middle of the night, my thoughts seemed to be stirred up and sleep settled only on my husband’s side of the bed. I prayed for the people and situations passing through my mind and then decided I might as well make use of the awake time.
I asked God for a Word of the Day. Immediately escape came to mind. “Escape?” I wondered. The word came without inspiration or a scripture. I started to ask Him for another word, but I’ve learned that’s usually a waste of time. I decided to wait until morning and see if I had any ideas.
Then I prayed, “Lord, I want to care for my body and I know sleep restores it. What should I do?” I sensed I was to pile up all the thoughts, concerns, and people on my mind and ask Him to take charge of them. Then I asked Jesus to take them away from me, for I seemed incapable of turning off those thoughts and quieting myself. Soon I relaxed and sleep settled in.
You’d think I’d wake up and see why escape was the Word of the Day! But it wasn’t until I sat down and started looking up verses that it hit me. God had given me a way to escape sleeplessness last night. The temptation to worry had been eradicated because I was able to listen to His wisdom and do what He said.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;
and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,
so that you will be able to endure it.
–1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)
Temptation is common to man, but it doesn’t have to rule us. We can crave time to do just what we want. Our desires can be for unhealthy foods or entertainment or for approval from others. We might be tempted to turn to things that have long-term negative consequences rather than to the ways of God. But God is faithful, and if we ask Him and then do what He says, the escape route is there. It often doesn’t seem easy, but God will be there to help us come through it.
Your Response: Lord, thank you for the gift of hearing Your voice through the Bible, in prayer, and as I go about life. Increase my ability to hear You and my willingness to follow what You say.
Lord, is there a temptation that is common to me? Bring just one to mind.
What is the way of escape You offer? Personalize it for me and show me, practically, how to walk it out.
Lord, if I follow Your leading, what difference will it make in how I live and think of myself?
(Take a few minutes to thank God for His love and care for you. He is the Master of Great Escapes and He can be trusted.)