But [Joshua's] bow remained strong, and his arms were strengthened by the Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel'. Genesis 49:24
Why does Joseph stand against temptation? Because God gives him aid. There is nought that we can do without the power of God. All true strength comes from “the mighty God of Jacob.” –Charles Spurgeon
What is temptation teaching you?
I don’t know about you, but what I have been learning through temptation is how much I need God. When I start to lean on myself and my own strength under temptation I inevitably set myself up for failure. This happens in one of two ways.
First, many times I find that I am all too ready to give in to temptation. I don’t like pain. I don’t like being uncomfortable. I don’t like not being in control of my circumstances. These natural—and by that I mean broken and sinful—attitudes of mine are a lot stronger than I care to admit. So when I trust myself, or test myself and my own strength to stand up under temptation I find myself falling down before I’ve even made the first bend around the track.
Second, when I go through periods of time when God and I are working together through temptation and I have a track record of being successful with a particular temptation, my ego and pride builds up and starts to make me think that I am a whole different person now and I don’t need to be as concerned about bringing God in to deal with temptation. Before I know it I have tripped over that old familiar temptation again and am face down on the ground again. My experience tells me that if I am going to get through temptation, I cannot do it on my own. I need God.
In contrast, temptation has also taught me a lot about God. Listen to a little more from Charles Spurgeon’s thoughts on Genesis 49:24.
Notice in what a blessedly familiar way God gives this strength to Joseph-“The arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.” Thus God is represented as putting his hands on Joseph’s hands, placing his arms on Joseph’s arms. Like as a father teaches his children, so the Lord teaches them that fear him. He puts his arms upon them.
I have been learning that God is a very dependable, loving, fatherly support and shelter through temptation. He is more willing than I could hope to strengthen me by putting His hands on my hands and His arms on my arms. God wants to be that for you. More accurately, God is that for you. We don’t need to wonder about it, or think that He might change His mind, or fear that God is going to give up on us.
We give up.
God is faithful.
When you lean on Him and trust in His strength and His grace, you will make it through temptation. When you trip and fall on your face as we all do—even if you have tripped over the same lousy temptation that has been hounding you for many long years—He will take you by the hand and pick you up and keep bringing you with Him. Look to God to help you through temptation. You’ll be glad you did.
