Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 2:9a, where we read these words:
" . . . Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations . . . "Peter establishes this truth (above) on the basis of God's willingness and abil-ity to punish sin (and evildoers). But whereas the Lord did not have a means of redemption for the fallen angels—He *does* provide it to His elect church-men. On top of that, God delivers us "out of temptations."
What kinds of temptations will we face today? Not all of them will be to per-form some gross, crass evil. We may be tempted to doubt the love of God, (or even His very existence). We may be tempted to succumb to great discour-agement of heart. We may be tempted to quit church, and prayer. The Lord can and will supply His children persevering grace, to withstand and over-come all of these temptations (and more).
[Puritan quote of the day: "The valley of your discouragements shall be the door and inlet unto all your rest and comfort.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]
