God will not test us beyond our ability to endure – but do we believe that? I worry at times at my ability to withstand the temptations that lure around me – waiting for the time that I am weak. Jesus himself was tempted but did not fall – but I am human. I have fallen and fallen hard at times. What brings me to the point of picking up the pieces? Is it my own ability or is the same God who declares that he will not test me beyond my ability to withstand. This is the same God who declares abundant grace for all who have fallen to sin and temptation. When Luther calls forth the word despair in his explanation of this part of the Lord's prayer he correctly defines a great temptation of mine. Call me mister gloom and doom here. It is an easy temptation to fall prey to. Beyond despair though is hope – abundant grace filled hope. The same hope prized by the prodigal son and the countless ones who found the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Why be full of despair, regret, and hopelessness? As the hymn suggests – "Have we trails and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?" We should then take it to the Lord in prayer. Find safety in his grace and embrace. Find the love of God in His church. Often I believe we miss the opportunity of making our places of worship a place of refuge from temptation, from the perils of this world, and the sin that surrounds us. Do we see the church as this safe place and the embrace of God? What can we do to make this happen?
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