Sermon Illustrations
God Provides but Expects our Effort
The air war over Bosnia in the late 1990s made famous the escape of Scott O'Grady. The downed American flier evaded capture for days in enemy territory until rescue helicopters found him. When the helicopter landed in the clearing near where O'Grady was hiding, he didn't relax in the brush and wait for the pilot to come and get him. He shook off his fatigue, fought through bushes, drew his weapon and, with every ounce of energy he had, ran to the escape that had been provided for him. His actions parallel the engagement God requires of us in spiritual warfare. We should not assume that, because God promises to provide a way out of temptation, we have no role in our own rescue. God always provides a way of escape, but he may also require effort from us.