Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:12:29 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Masnna (Feb. 12); BP: Mt. 6:5-15; RBTTY: Mt. 26:26-50; Lev.
February 12 “The Father’s Protective Hand”
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. . .”
Matthew 6:13a
We need never fear the Heavenly Father will lead and leave us in a lurch.
At first glance, today’s Manna seems an odd one—especially since it’s Jesus Himself Who’s giving it. And, His Words seem somewhat out-of-place in this Model Prayer, especially in light of the petitions that have preceded them.
We know the Heavenly Father doesn’t tempt anyone (James 1:13); instead, “Every one of us is drawn away by our own lusts when temptation comes, which brings forth sin and death when we give in to it” (I Jn. 2:16; James 1:14-15). So, what was our Lord meaning here when He included “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” in this “Primer in Prayer”?
The answer is forthcoming when we realize the Greek word “peirasmos” is used here for “temptation” and basically means “a putting to the test, a trial, discipline, proof, to test, scrutinize, ascertain, etc.” Thus, it’s a request that the Heavenly Father will never allow us to undergo so many trials and tribulations that we’ll be tempted to throw in the towel; instead, it is remembering that His “grace is sufficient” and our difficulties are not unique to us (I. Cor. 10:13; II Cor. 12:9-10).
Also, when coupled with the next phrase—“but deliver us from evil”—we begin to catch a glimpse of the Bigger Picture. The Lord Jesus knew we’re constantly at war against our Three Enemies: The world, the flesh and the devil. He knew there’d be times when we’ll prevail against them and times when we fall flat on our faces (
Yet, in the midst of it all, He is faithful (Lam. 3:21-23) and will use our difficulties for our good and His glory if we’ll let Him (Rom. 8:28; I Pet. 1:6-7). Likewise, our praying this will remind us that “there’s nothing we’re going to face today that He can’t handle.” Hallelujah!!
Assuredly, there’ll be times, like the Apostle Paul, when we’ll be “pressed out of measure (like a squashed bug on a bumper). . .without any strength. . .and even begin to despair of life itself” (II Cor. 1:8). However, it’s in those times we must remember to pray this Manna back to the Father and then begin “giving thanks in all things” (I Thess. 5:18), confident that we have been given “the sentence of death that we shouldn’t trust in ourselves, but God Who raises the dead” (II Cor. 1:9).
Even when we, like the Hebrew children, find ourselves in a “fiery furnace” situation, we must remember that the same Lord Who walked with them that day is the same One Who walks with us (Dan. 3:13-25). And, He’ll use our “fiery trials” to further define and refine our faith as it moves closer to 24-karat status (I Pet. 1:6-7). Glory!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, never forget that the One Who leads you has nail-scars in His hands. As someone said, “He will never lead us where His grace will not keep us.” May we rest in that blessed assurance today, especially if our “fires” are getting hot.
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