"Once More"

Once more is once too many,

I’ve heard it and it’s true,

About so many of the things,

We should and should not do.

Some things we should never see,

We’ve seen it quite enough,

And if we see ‘em one more time,

The going could get rough.

‘Cause flirtin’ with disaster,

When the Good Lord says to run,

To discipline and master,

What might otherwise be fun.

Pleasure for a season,

Give a harvest we don’t need,

So we should all be careful,

‘Bout planting the wrong seed.

Rein in what causes trouble,

Starve out what leads astray,

Be strong and on the double,

Keep your guard up everyday.

And God won’t let the tempter,

Ever press too much,

The way out is provided,

And we can stay in touch,

With the Holy Spirit,

Who shows us where to go,

And we can walk through fire,

Because we always know,

The Lord our God is with us,

And will be till the end,

No doubt He will deliver,

And grace He’ll always send.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NAS)

Our ability to overcome temptation depends on something that is totally unchanging: the faithfulness of God. Three things to remember here. One, someone else has gone through the same thing. Two, God won’t allow us to be overwhelmed. Three, God will give us a way of escape. But the assumption is that we want to overcome. If we do, we can.

Lord, help us overcome temptation, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt, used by permission. Thanks, Robert, and God bless you.