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. (1Co 10:13 NIV)

This is a threefold comfort. Firstly, God takes our weakness into consideration. St. Paul wrote: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” That means, the temptations have been cut to size, made to fit and suit us common people. Then secondly, God equips us with the necessary endurance and capacity to be able to bear the coming temptations: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” Oh, these are truly words of great comfort and sure consolation. By nature we are weak and incapable to face these challenges, yet God’s faithfulness is far greater than all necessities and burdens. “He does burden us, but he helps us too!” Finally while no hardship endures eternally, his grace does and carries us through. The temptations will run its course, but in such a way that we will be able to stand up under it. The apostle encourages and comforts us: “He will surely do it!” Whoever grasps this, has it all and as much as he needs – eternal comfort and everlasting joy.

In conclusion let us address the questions, whether it is God, who brings on these temptations. Well, he does not tempt anyone, yet he knows them and helps us to provide a way out so taht you can stand up under it. He is with us in temptations also. Therefore take courage. Don’t despair. Rather remember that it will not be as deep and harrowing as we might fear. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial” (Jam 1:12 NIV)

Lord God, heavenly Father! Childlike we pray: Strengthen us in our weakness, empower us with your grace and mercy and don’t allow the glowing wick to be extinguished. Rather give us new courage and hope while dispersing anxiety and fear of lurking dangers and encompassing evil. Grant that we will faithfully withstand all attacks by sin, world, devil and hell so that we finally will be victorious and triumph against these evil monstrosities, bearing your gift – the crown of eternal life. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s name, he our triumphant Lord, our God and King. Amen.  

1 Thanks to Thee, O Christ victorious! Thanks to Thee, O Lord of Life! Death hath now no power o’er us, Thou hast conquered in the strife. Thanks because Thou didst arise And hast opened paradise! None can fully sing the glory Of the resurrection story.

2 Thou hast died for my transgression, All my sins on Thee were laid; Thou hast won for me salvation, On the cross my debt was paid. From the grave I shall arise And shall meet Thee in the skies. Death itself is transitory; I shall lift my head in glory.

3 For the joy Thine advent gave me, For Thy holy, precious Word; For Thy Baptism, which doth save me, For Thy blest Communion board; For Thy death, the bitter scorn, For Thy resurrection morn, Lord, I thank Thee and extol Thee, And in heav’n I shall behold Thee. Thomas Hansen Kingo, 1634-1703 tr George A.T. Rygh, 1860-1942)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the ninth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 284 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.