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I had an exciting thought as our airwaves and screens filled with information regarding the solar eclipse. Jesus used ordinary events to help us understand His teachings. Could we do that with the solar eclipse? The eclipse shows how precisely God created our universe since astronomers had accurately predicted eclipses hundreds of years ago. Nothing is random about the eclipse when you study the Earth’s and Moon’s movements relative to the sun. The regularity and precision of the whole design remind us of the careful attention to detail of a trustworthy and faithful Creator God.

Think of people who didn’t understand the solar eclipse long ago—they would have found it terrifying. Fear can stop you in your tracks, but knowledge helps.

My goal: Let’s explore if the solar eclipse gives us any insight into I Corinthians 10:13, which teaches that all our temptations/trials are common to people, but since we have a faithful God, we know that He doesn’t allow testing that is beyond our ability because He provides an escape route that comes hand-in-hand WITH the problem so we can bear the situation.

What are the easy “surface” facts about a solar eclipse? The sun is the permanent and more stationary object, while the moon (which casts the shadow or darkness) is the moving object causing the eclipse. Although the moon is much smaller than the sun, it is much closer. Hence, the smaller object seemingly covers the more significant—but only briefly. My temporary darkness occurs when some smaller obstacle moves between me and the more critical light giver.

However, the sun is always there and still shining—just as the Son of God, Jesus, is always present—whether or not we see or even acknowledge it.

The moon temporarily blocks the sun’s rays from reaching us. Does the sun go away? No. There is merely something that temporarily blocks our ability to see the sun and feel its warmth—just as something may temporarily block my ability to see and feel the presence of the Son of God. Does that mean He went away? No! My vision of Him is temporarily blocked, like in a solar eclipse. 

Is there any similarity between the solar eclipse and my relationship with the Son of God, who is permanent and larger than my problems? My temptation/testing is transitory and similar to other people’s problems. However, mine are so close to me that they seem large and may block my view of the Son. However, does my problem get rid of the Son? No, that’s like saying the moon destroys the sun because it blocks the sunlight for a while. Just as the darkness caused by the moon’s shadow is an event with a beginning and an end, so is my dark cloud of testing.

Special glasses enable people to observe the solar activity around the edges of the circle in a total eclipse. Likewise, the Holy Spirit enables our spiritual eyes to see how the Son of God is always there even when it seems dark and we don’t think we see Jesus. However, this “darkness” will eventually pass away, revealing that the sun (Son) was present all along.

The same God who designed our universe and us is there “with” and “for” us because He loves us right now—even if a dark cloud seems to be hiding Him. Let us also remember this is the same God who allows prodigals to eat with pigs and wallow in the filth of their unwise decisions—but then runs to meet them when they return.

Just as knowledge removes the fear of an eclipse, a follower of Christ does not have to live in fear before our adversary. A Christ follower should know the biblical principle that Satan and his demons are defeated enemies because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:15). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a keystone of our faith, for it not only signifies God’s acceptance of Christ’s death as a payment for our sins, but the resurrection provides the basis for the believer’s daily victory over the adversary.

Consequently, as we continue to see pictures of the solar eclipse, let them remind us that some darkness (testing/temptations) will fall into every life. However, pay attention to WHO is there with you as you go through it and observe WHAT God would have you learn through that time. 

We know what brings on an eclipse and what makes it disappear, for both come together in the same package. Similarly, God knows the “why” of our darkness, and—from His perspective—both our way of escape and the testing come simultaneously. However, our actions play a part in the time factor of our escape since we don’t “see” the escape until we’ve learned or recognized what He wants us to learn through the situation.

Solar eclipses and temptation/tests come periodically; some are more remarkable to us than others.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)