Creator, Father, King #278

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.

IN 1704, A SCOTTISH sailor named Alexander Selkirk and the rest of his salty band of privateers—legalized pirates, to put it bluntly—arrived at a tiny island off the coast of Chile. Selkirk, whose actual surname was Selcraig, got into an argument with the captain about the seaworthiness of their ship, the Cinque Ports. He decided to stay on the twenty-nine-square-mile island, probably figuring he’d be picked up by another vessel in a matter of days or weeks.

He figured wrong.

Four years and four months later, he was finally rescued by another British privateer. Imagine living all that time stranded on an island. What a lonely life!

When you are tempted to sin, have you ever felt like you’re alone on an island? Sometimes, sin tries to isolate us, making us think we’re the only ones on earth enduring the ordeal we’re experiencing.

That’s when we need the truth of God’s Word.

What’s It Mean?

If you are struggling with sin, temptation, or even a painful trial that might tempt you to despair, it’s easy to find yourself marooned on Satan’s island of deception, thinking things like this:

• No one else understands.
• No one else has ever gone through this before.
• There is no hope for me.

But Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” (Revelation 12:10). He loves to deceive Christians into thinking that they are cut off from the heavenly blessings and power that are ours in Christ.

Fill your mind instead with Scripture’s truth. Today’s verse, in its entirety, says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

What’s more, you have a faithful High Priest, Jesus, who has endured every temptation you have, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, you can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16).

When tempted, don’t be a castaway on the island of fear, doubt, and lies. Jesus defeated sin and Satan at the Cross (1 John 3:8). Trust in Christ for rescue!

Now What?

During temptation, remember God has helped others before you and he will help you, too, if you seek him!

Did You Know?

Many historians believe Selcraig was the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s famous 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe.