Day 24 : Deliver us from the evil (continued)

"Keep us from yielding to temptation, and above all, deliver us from the devil" (Version of the Sermon Matthew 6:13).

This prayer expresses our need to depend on the help of God. We need God crucially. We are aware that we can not rely on our own ability to resist temptation, and to stand firm in trials. We rely entirely on the divine help to be preserved, protected, rescued. It is in the full awareness of our weakness that strength is found : "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

We find this thought of divine assistance in this promise : "No temptation has come to you that has not been human, and God, who is faithful, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with Temptation will also prepare the way out of it, that ye may bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

When we say : "Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil", we show that we trust him totally, believe in his sovereignty, direct and control all situations, and Subject to its sovereign will. Scripture promises that the best way to triumph over the devil is to submit to God : "Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4: 7). By submitting ourselves to the sovereignty of God, we are delivered from the evil one.

The devil is the source of temptation. The expression "deliver us from the evil one" means "deliver us from the devil"! Is not the devil also called the tempter, as we see in the account of the temptation of Jesus : "The tempter having come near, said to him ..." (Matthew 4: 3). Paul uses the same name to designate the devil : "Thus, in my impatience, I sent to inquire into your faith, lest the tempter should tempt you, and we should have labored in vain." Thessalonians 3: 5). The tempter will seek by all means to destroy you, do not hesitate to call God to your help. You will be able to experience what the psalmist says : "It is he who delivers me from the net of the fowler" (Psalm 91: 3).

Advice for this day :

Do not try to triumph over temptations by relying solely on your strength, your will, your resources. Become aware of your limits, and, with faith, pray to God : "Deliver me from evil." Consider that God is with you; He fights with you, and for you. Now, as John says : "He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world" (1 John 4: 4).

Paul Calzada