The majesty and beauty of the hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness is exceeded only by the actual truth that God is faithful.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul provides one example when he declares, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” God is faithfulto make the way to escape.

Two thoughts here demand a believing response. I will start with the second thought first. The phrase “a way to escape” comes alive when we understand there is a definite article at the beginning of the phrase. The text literally says God will make the way to escape. This grammatical note has huge implications. The way of escape is not a formula, a list, or a certain set of rituals. The way of escape is a person. His name is Jesus, for Jesus claimed, “I am the way” (John 14:6). This great reality brings hope, for the only real escape must come through Jesus. 

The other thought is the great truth that God is faithful. What we would do if this were not so? But it is so. God is faithful in His availability and His dependability and so much more. 

The combination of these two thoughts in our text is glorious! God is faithful to provide the way of escape! This reality should stir us to respond with confident expectation. Since God is faithful, we should expect—through Jesus—not to cave in to temptation. If you expect that you will sin, you are already on your way to defeat. But because of the indwelling Christ, you can and must expect not to sin. God is faithful to provide the way of escape: the ever-present Jesus! 

John Van Gelderen

John Van Gelderen

Post Author