John 16:33, Matthew 7:13-14, 1 Corinthians 10:13

David Kramer reflects on where we need to go when we are going through hard times

David Kramer

Life can be tough at times...Life can be really tough at times.

Shortly before his arrest Jesus said these words:

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (emphasis mine)

By the way, some translations render, "...but take heart..." as, "...but be of good cheer..."

Experiencing tribulation? Cheer up! Jesus' words, not mine!

See also, Matthew 7:13-14, "...the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life..." (emphasis mine)

By the way, like, (I suspect), so very many others, those tend to be some of the verses I skip over and don't even really notice. Until......!!

Many years ago I found myself going through an extremely testing time. I acknowledge that some of it was self-inflicted, but I can honestly say that so much more of it was not. It went on for about three and a half years. Even with the unfailing support of my wife and my church leaders and Christian friends, the pressure was just relentless. I lost count of the number of times I told God that I simply couldn't cope with it anymore. In fact, over 20 years later I can show you the exact spot in the road when, all alone in the car, I suddenly heard myself scream at the top of my voice, "God, I can't take this anymore!" That same evening a visiting speaker prophesied over my life - the first personal prophecy I had ever received. At the time I heard none of the prophecy because I never got beyond the first two words, "My son....."

God called me 'son'!!!

Wonderful though that was, the situation continued and got tougher, for at least another 18 months.

So, what to do? Stand on his word.

At some point during this time I began to fervently remind God of the scripture that says that God will not let you be tested beyond what you can endure, but, with the test will provide the way of escape. I frequently cried out to Him and asked Him to show me my way of escape. From my perspective he didn't. All he did was tell me to read the verse. I would then tell him, "Now listen God, I don't need to read the xxxxxx verse, I'm quoting it to you!" And then he would say again, "Read the verse".

Finally! I read the verse. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reads, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man", (Dave, you're not the only one). "God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can endure, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it." (emphasis mine)

Where I had a full stop after the word 'escape', God only had a comma.

Father was telling me that I could escape in order to endure. I.e. not to escape out of the (still worsening) situation. Obvious question then Father, "To where do I escape?" The instant I asked him that he replied, "Son you escape into me."

Suddenly time in his presence, time in his word, time spent praising him, time worshiping him and time getting to know him like I never had before, became the number one priority of my life. If I was not going to escape the situation; if I had to continue to endure, then I had to escape into him.

Remember Jesus' words in John 16? "....in me you may have peace...."

In due course God delivered me from the situation. But better than that he turned it into a remarkable victory over those more powerful and influential than me, those who had tried to bring me down. But better than that he had changed, equipped and trained me.

He's still doing that of course, but this was like boot camp when you first join the military. It's where everyone has to start. I don't ever want to go through a time like that again. But I would not want to live life without the benefits of the experience.

So, if you're being tested right now, then I pray you will learn to escape into him - the One who has (already) overcome the world.

If life's going great right now, then I urge you to escape into him while the path is smooth. Trust me, it's easier than when everything is tough and getting tougher.