Change my Location

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 91. Here is what I learned.

God will ·save [protect] you from ·hidden traps [the snare of the fowler] and from deadly ·diseases [pestilence]. Psalm 91:3 (EXB)

For He will rescue you from the snares set by your enemies who entrap you and from deadly plagues. Psalm 91:3 (VOICE)

He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so. The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is a noisome pestilence. Great security is promised to believers in the midst of danger. Wisdom shall keep them from being afraid without cause, and faith shall keep them from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to fear. God's people shall see, not only God's promises fulfilled, but his threatenings. Then let sinners come unto the Lord upon his mercy-seat, through the Redeemer's name; and encourage others to trust in him also. (Psalm 91:1-8) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Temptation in and of itself is not sin. It’s when we give into the temptation that we sin. Sin is sin and is an abomination to God. There are not “little sins”.  

There are many justifications and rationalizations we create to ease our minds when we sin. And often we put ourselves in situations that not only create temptation, but make it so easy to give in to the temptation. Think of it this way, an alcoholic should not be spending time in bars. To avoid the temptation to drink, the alcoholic needs to change his location. Remove himself from the opportunity to drink. One way to avoid giving in to the temptation is to avoid the location of the temptation! 

If we do find ourselves tempted, we still don’t need to give in—God provides a way to escape and not sin! 

The only ·temptation [or trials] that has come to you is ·that which everyone has [(common to) human life]. But ·you can trust God [God is faithful], who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to ·stand [endure] it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (EXB)

To create a positive day, I need to change my location, if I find myself the place of temptation, knowing that God has provided the way of escape!