In an often quoted and beloved Scripture, God makes a priceless promise to a very identifiable group of people. What is promised both removes all serious fear from our lives and provides a wonderful reassurance that God will indeed “never be far away from any one of us,” His very own people.

However, it is important to notice to whom this promise was made. This promise is found in what originally was a letter to a congregation of New Testament Christians in the city of Corinth, Greece. The “beloved Scripture” mentioned above is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13, and is worded as follow in the New Revised Standard Version:

“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out, so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthian 10:13)

Recently I was requested to counsel with a young man who was crying from deep despair and he actually quoted (in paraphrase) this very Scripture. He said to me, “Earl, I am very sure that the horrible things I am facing are beyond my strength to endure.” (Among many very troubling things he was facing was that he’d just learned that his rather young dad has incurable cancer.)

I felt real compassion for this young man. I promised to pray for both him and his dad. I also tried to point out to him to how this Scripture can become God’s promise to him. Since it is found in a letter to reborn Christians, it cannot legitimatley be taken to apply to the whole human race. Scripture clearly says that “many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.” (1 Corinthians 18:8) They thus became “born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5) into the “kingdom” family of God. All the truly wonderful promises of God apply uniquely to those in His “household,” His own people.

Wow, what a precious and reassuring truth to be realized and rejoiced in! But this can only be such a joy for those of us who have chosen to let the message of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord prompt us (in response to Jesus’ own words) to be “buried with Him by baptism into His death” and thus be born anew. (Romans 6:3-4) Pray with me that the young man I mentioned above will also so choose. Meanwhile, let’s not let ourselves forget to realize and rejoice in the truth of this great promise from our Lord.