Sometimes looking at something from a different angle makes a powerful difference.  That old, familiar tree has a very interesting texture…

Try to look at temptation from a different angle...

That old, familiar trial has a very awesome purpose.

Focus is what matters.  It is logical that if we are going to call ourselves “Christians”, we ought to truly be Christ-followers.  Of course, that means keeping our eyes constantly on Him whom we follow.  Our goal is Heaven, and He will lead us there.

Psalm 27:13 says, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”  The peace and joy of living in God’s presence both now and forever drives us on; it inspires us with hope.

When we learn to see things through God’s eyes, then we will realize that temptation is not a pointless trouble.  It is temptation that tends to bring out the weakness in our character–often times, weakness that we did not even realize was there.

This realization can be disheartening, but it does not need to be.  Rather, looking through God’s eyes we will see the temptation as a stepping stone to  a closer relationship with our beloved Saviour.

James encouraged us to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations“.  Joy?  Why?  The answer is simple, yet profound:  because “the trying of your faith worketh patience.”  Paul adds: “And patience [worketh] experience; and experience, hope.”

In Young’s Literal Translation, the word for “patience” is “endurance”.  In other words, we must press on.  Moment by moment and as various trials come our way, our part is to choose to give ourselves entirely to God.

With God on our side, Power is on our side.  God gives us the promise: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:7,8)  It is an exciting circular process: reach for God, resist temptation, find your relationship with God even stronger–which encourages you to reach for God….

The end result?  Clean hands and a pure heart.

With that in mind, take courage!  Expect a blessing from God–expect to grow, for faith opens the door for the Lord to do mighty things!

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

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***Hasten Home is excited to announce the release of a new, original set of Vacation Bible School materials. It talks of God’s law, the Ten Commandments, and teaches the children the awesome truth that God wants to give us both the heart and the power to obey. You may purchase VBS–The Land of Milk & Honey from our store, or if you have questions, just send a note to vbs@hastenhome.com and put “Milk & Honey” in the subject line.***