Healing Rays of Righteousness

The Lord’s Prayer is realistic and reminds us that we are human and prone to sin. And so, even after we have pleaded for God to “forgive us our debts,” and are assured of his forgiveness, we still need to pray for God’s daily help to think and act as righteous persons.

To pray “And lead us not into temptation” is to admit our spiritual weaknesses and selfish desires. The Greek word that is usually translated “temptation” can also be translated as “testing.” I think this is a more helpful word in praying as “And keep us from being tested.”

Just as Jesus was tested in his wilderness experience immediately after his glorious baptismal experience (Matthew 4:1-11), so likewise, will “temptation” test the character and commitment of all who claim to be Jesus’ disciples.

Both “temptation” and “testing” refer to everything that could endanger our relationship with God. This includes those very difficult and painful wilderness situations that test our faithfulness to God, and in which we will be tempted to give in to sinful unbelief or behaviors.

In this petition, we are asking God to protect this relationship. We are pleading for God to spare us situations and testing so deep and compelling that they may overwhelm and tempt us to be unfaithful in our commitment to his love and lordship.

After admonishing his disciples for sleeping during his agonizing prayer time in Gethsemane, Jesus urges them to pray for God’s enabling strength to stand the test. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41).

However, we are encouraged by Apostle Paul’s reassurance to the Christians in Corinth that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The second half of this petition, “But deliver us from the evil one” is about the ever-present reality of spiritual warfare. Satan continually tests us to destroy us, and Jesus teaches us to pray for God to spare us from Satan. This petition can also be read as “Allow us to be spared circumstances that would tempt us into sin” or “Deliver us from every peril that awaits us.”

“Temptation” is the opportunity to do evil. But the “evil” referenced here is something done to us. Of course, we may choose certain evils and suffer its consequences, but this petition is for protection against becoming a victim of the “evil one” who is Satan. He is truthfully named the deceiver, slanderer, accuser, destroyer, tempter, and father of lies.

Given the reality of evil assaulting us, we hear the cry to “deliver us” as a cry of panic. It is something we would only ask of someone whom we know has power over the desperate circumstances of our situation. And so, to pray “deliver us from the evil one” is a confession of our ultimate trust in God.

We know we are weak and cannot stand against Satan’s testing, so we pray that God would deliver us from the possibility of failing the test and bringing dishonor to God’s name. We pray, believing that God in his wisdom and love may block Satan’s effort, or help us through the testing toward making us stronger in character and commitment (Romans 8:28).

This petition realistically recognizes that we will be exposed to evil and victimized by it. But it also reminds us that evil will not have the last word. It claims the promise of the resurrection which gives affirming evidence that even during evil and trouble God can bring about goodness, life, and peace.

The great hymn “Amazing Grace” sings of being brought “through many dangers, toils, and snares” and reminds us that God has ultimately conquered the evil one and that he faithfully walks with us toward complete and eternal deliverance in his Kingdom.

Whenever my faith in Jesus is being tested, I am encouraged by a song I love, “What God Hath Promised.” I hope its message encourages you as well.

God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.                                     But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way,                  Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God hath not promised we shall not know / Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear / Many a burden, many a care.
          But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way,
          Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide, Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep, Never a river turbid and deep.
          But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way,
          Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 25, 2020
http://www.geigler13.wordpress.com
Ray M. Geigley