In Part 1 we looked at Peter being sifted by satan and how Jesus was sure that Peter would pass the test. Let’s look into this testing-phenomenon a little more.

1Cr 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV)

For every temptation out there, God is faithful and provides a way out so we can stand up under it. It doesn’t say we won’t be tested, tempted or sifted, it says when it happens, God is faithful. He will provide a way for you to be victorious. So the devil only thinks he is messing with you but all the time God is messing with him by always faithfully providing a way out for you. So what is God really allowing? Is He allowing you to be tested or is He allowing you to share in His glorious victory by taking the way out He always provides?

But what if I fail the test? What if I don’t take God’s way out? Well, Peter’s story didn’t end in Luke 22, and guess what, mine doesn’t end in Cornel 22 either. Even if I fail and die as a result, my story also doesn’t end at my death. Satan can’t see past today in the book of my life. He thinks he can end my story sooner and beat Jesus’ victory in my life by getting me to fail a little test, deny my faith a little here and there or even sin a little or a lot. The Author and Perfector of my faith however has the last say. Every time satan thinks he has finally gotten me to my last chapter, my Author faithfully writes another way out: ‘When you have returned to me, strengthen my brothers.’

I don’t care where you think you have failed or even if you think you failed so badly you couldn’t possibly ever hope of even returning to God again. If you can’t see the way out of the addiction, the sin, the problem, the test or the temptation at the moment, hear this: ‘WHEN you have returned to me, strengthen my brothers.’ Jesus prayed for you just like he did for Peter. Your story doesn’t end in Chapter 22. The test is not over. When Jesus prayed for you He said when, not if. He has complete faith in you that you will pass the test. No matter how dark it looks in Chapter 22 of your life at the moment, just know that there is also a Chapter 23 and 24. What is in Chapter 23? The Cross. God’s faithful way out. What is in Chapter 24? The Resurrection. New life. Ultimate Victory. You passing the test. You returning to Jesus. If you are in a Chapter 22 moment right now, look at the Cross and find God’s promised way out there. Jesus is the Way out. Believe Him. To go from Chapter 22 to 24 you have to go through Chapter 23, it’s The One and Only Way: Jesus, and Him crucified in your place.

There is always hope!

Cornel

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