The next line of our series on the Lord鈥檚 Prayer is the first one with a negative direction. 鈥淟ead us not into temptation.鈥澨齌here is a second part, which is really a parallel or repetition in the positive for emphasis and focus. 鈥淏ut deliver us from evil.鈥澨� As we progress through the prayer we have focused on God, heaven, Earth and God鈥檚 provision for our bodies and spirits. Now we come to the consideration of the reality of evil in our world.
Evil is a huge mystery that we have to deal with and it is a perilous journey. We know that God is good and desires good for our lives, it is sometimes difficult to discern the good from within our circumstances. James reminds that God does not tempt us toward evil, that arises from within.听What is clear is that God does test our faith and it is our responses that can put us in a difficult place. Both the 23rd听and the Fifth听Psalm reference God鈥檚 leading in our lives;听this is our cry for help in this perilous journey, 鈥淟ord lead me/us.鈥�
Jesus was led into the desert and was tested there, modelling for us how to avoid temptation in our times of testing and trial. But in the evil of this world things are not always clear, we cry out for help, guidance, mercy and deliverance.听Our most difficult temptation come through our strengths, where we are encouraged to rely on our own selves, rather than our weaknesses, which seem easier to bring before God. Whether the correct translation is from 鈥榚vil鈥� or 鈥榯he evil one鈥� does not really matter, 鈥淟ord deliver us!鈥� Keep in mind this last line of the prayer is in context of the whole, God鈥檚 person, position and provision.
While the Kingdom and the power and the glory are likely not original, it is a good summary. Everything ends up at God!听The closer you are to God, the brighter the light around you to discern evil from good.听May you know God鈥檚 leading and deliverance in these days. Amen.
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