Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 2:18, where we read these words:
“For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted."How does Jesus Christ “help” His fellow-churchmen when we, God’s people, are “being tempted”? In several ways: first, by identification. Jesus suffered in temptation, just like we do, and even worse. And secondly, by conveyance of power: through the Holy Spirit working in us, Christ supplies supernatural grace, to endure and resist temptation.
The worst temptations we face, are those that allure us to false “gods,” or Illu-sory “gospels.” The second-worst temptations we face, are those that present us with what our natural man would truly want (in order to be “happy”), and it is within our “grasp.” Only our God-given love for Christ can overwhelm these otherwise-irresistible forces.
[Puritan quote of the day: "You that are weak, and are full of doubts, should go and lean upon those who are strong and who have full assurance.” —Wil-liam Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]
