More than I can Handle - Pt 2

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV).

Yesterday we looked at the Apostle Paul’s declaration that we would not be given more than we can handle. I spent some time looking at the definition and importance of the word “we.” I brought us to the conclusion that it is a clear reference to the help we receive through the merciful, sovereign grace of God. We cannot be independent from the power of God’s help in any situation of life. The next question raised in Paul’s statement is “What does ‘handle’ mean?’ Does it mean we never stumble or never fail? Well, the answer is, “no.” It doesn’t mean that. If we had perfect reliance on all that he is for us in Christ, we would pass every test glowingly. But God does not promise that kind of perfect reliance on his omnipotent grace. The promise is better understood in that we will always have with every test an escape and when he says that we will have grace for every good work. And I think what is promised is ultimately this: He will never let us so stumble or so fail that we don’t recover and repent and are restored. In other words, he will never let us sin our way into apostasy and damnation. He will enable us to bear the fruits of genuine faith and perseverance to the end. God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them and bring them through to everlasting glory. Our reading today is very clear at that point. Peter said, “By God’s power [we] are being guarded through faith for a salvation” (v. 5). God’s power is guarding me. He won’t let me fail in any test utterly. Remember who is writing that truth. This is the same Peter who so utterly failed the night Jesus was arrested. Yet Jesus comes to him after the resurrection and reassures him of His love for him and His calling to him. So, here’s my conclusion: God will never give us more than we can handle. That is Scripturally accurate if we mean God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them and bring them through to everlasting glory. We will be enabled to do all we must do to get there. That is the ultimate hope and assurance in this life. We can count on the mercy and grace of God in that wonderful promise of bringing us to our heavenly home he is in the process of preparing for us. Everything else is really temporary. It is but a momentary deviation from the perfect, eternal life he has planned and prepared for us. That enables me to handle anything that comes my way! That’s real good news!