"Getaway"

When the outlaws made their getaway,

They planned which way to go,

After they had robbed the train,

Or stage or bank, you know.

The James gang and the Daltons,

And all the Wild Bunch, too,

Always planned their exit,

For fast escape, it’s true.

You take that old word “getaway,”

It now means something more,

We use it like vacation,

A break is what it’s for.

We’ll take a weekend getaway,

And get some R and R,

We’ll be back by Sunday night,

‘Cause we won’t go too far.

Jesus took His men aside,

To rest a little while,

‘Cause they got quite exhausted,

Helping people was a trial.

And the Book says if we’re tempted,

God makes a getaway,

And shows how to escape it,

Live to fight another day.

So when it comes down to it,

A getaway we need,

And if you plan it carefully,

You’re planting the right seed.

“But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)

Everyone is tempted. Jesus Himself was tempted in every way, yet without any sin. We have not always been victorious over temptation, but this promise makes it clear that we can overcome. How? By looking for God’s way of escape. First, He promises that He won’t allow a temptation that we cannot overcome. That’s very good news, don’t you think? Second, He will always provide us with a getaway. Look for it because it’s always there. The decision to overcome temptation is a righteous choice, and a prayer God will always answer.

Lord, show us how to overcome temptation.

Art by Don Weller, used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.