Temptation

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Temptation

In Matthew 6:13,  Jesus wants us to pray,

Lead us not  into temptation,  but deliver us  from evil.

In other words,  we need help — God’s help.     Jesus wants us  to ask for God’s help  because He realizes our predicaments  and our utter weakness.     In this Lord’s prayer,  God wants us  to be assured  of His willingness to help us  in our needs.     He wouldn’t be telling us  to ask for His help  unless He was willing  to help.     And,  He is most willing.

But,  we need  to lay our temptations before Him  in prayer  and ask  for the help we need.    We need  to acknowledge  that we cannot overcome  all the temptations we face.     So much of the time,  we fall  before we even realize  we’ve been tempted.

We should not be so proud  as to refuse  to ask  for God’s loving help  for every temptation we face.     It is pride  that leads us  to imagine  we can take care of ourselves — all by our weesome.     But,  the truth of the matter is  that we can’t.     That should be obvious  every time we fall.

1 Corinthians 10:13  further shows us,

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,  that you may be able  to endure it.

Temptations are all around us  and God lets them be there  for everyone to face.     So, what is the  “way of escape”  that God provides?     It is a dependence  on Him.     We need  to come to the full realization  that we are the “children of God” — not the leader.     He alone is our heavenly Father,  our Shepherd,  our King,  our Master,  our Lord,  our God.

As we humbly realize  our relationship with God,  we need to accept  our position  as His dearly beloved children.     As children depend upon  and have faith  in  their father,  we need  to have faith in  and depend  upon  our Lord.     In that dependence,  we will always be asking Him  to “Lead us not  into temptation,  but deliver us  from evil.”

As we lean on Him,  in the faith  of a child,  He will gladly help us — and be pleased  that we asked.

Then  in relief,  we will be enabled  to say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You  for showing me the way  and strengthening me  to live for You.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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