the Rev. Henry Huenemann
And lead us not into temptation (Matthew 6:13a).
Bible Reading
Matthew 4:1-11:Devotional
Is it not strange that James begins his letter with, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations?" Therefore, when we are tempted and tried, when our faith is put to the test in various ways, we must not murmur, but we have reason to rejoice. Trials and temptations are for our spiritual good. They further our growth in grace. James says that the trying of our faith works patience.
Peter says when he speaks of the manifold temptations to be endured: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." Thus Abraham was tempted and came out victorious.
But there is another kind of temptation, when Satan tempts a person to sin against God, or the world tries to lead us astray, or man is tempted by his own lusts and enticed. Then, indeed, is the danger great. Because in ourselves we are "so weak that we cannot stand a moment." Therefore we must pray that God may preserve and strengthen us by the power of his Holy Spirit, that we may be enabled to stand against our enemies and at last conquer them. But we can conquer them only by faith. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." And God will "with the temptation make a way of escape." He is faithful.
Prayer
Our Father, look down upon us in mercy. Since we are so weak in ourselves that we cannot stand a moment, and besides our deadly enemies, the devil, the world and our own flesh, assail us without ceasing, be pleased to preserve and strengthen us by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may make firm stand against them, and not be overcome in this spiritual warfare, until finally complete victory is ours. We pray in Jesus' name, and for his sake. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: James 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:7; Gen. 22; Matt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 10:13.
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