TEXT: 1COR. 10:13
''There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.''
Much of the whining and murmuring in moments of trial and tribulation, arise from our conceit or belief that our trials are peculiar or novel, as though no man has ever faced our kind of trials: friends, no grace, vice and trial can be deemed as uncommon amongst men: nothing is new on earth. That our present temptations or trials are common lot of men, should put a new hope and vim into us to face them boldly under God. There is nothing we are going through now that we can hold as strange to the sons of men. No trial is strange! However and more also, God Has promised that no temptation shall come to us that would be more than we can bear. Our trials reveal our capacity and capability: each trial that comes is but a looking glass for our strength. Trials come to show to us the measure of our strength before God and angels, both the one in their estate and those that are out. Whatever afflictions, losses, temptations and discomforts, God allows our ways, these show the nature and strength of our fortitude. A man's grace can safely be rated by his trial. Afflictions are the measuring rod or barometer for our capacity. So, let us not envy men of small trials and with little temptations: for they are men of little strength and faith. The stronger our faith, the fiercer our trial would be. In the kingdom of Christ, he who is closer to Christ, would be desired of the devil to be tempted by him. If my trials discover my strength, then what need have I to complain at the arrivals of afflictions; since by their advent I shall know the strength of my grace, thereby assisted to not fall into presumption? Which trader in gold would hate a touchstone, whereby gold are tried? Oh dear, trials are the touchstone for our graces.