Alstroemeria aurea in southern Tasmania, Australia by JJ Harrison

Good morning, beloved,

Yesterday…was just one of those days. Yet, as I type this, I am convinced to the depths of my soul that God is with me. When crazy storms hit, and sadly, my confidence is shaken. I wonder where are You, Lord? And I am reminded in the face of a checkout lady at Meijer food stores, I AM here.  I am reminded in the faces of my children who love the lake and play vigorously together. I AM here. I am reminded when I look at my refrigerator, I AM here. When my faithful husband stands by my side, even when frustrated, and turns to hold my hand, I AM here. I am reminded as I look at the beautiful creation that surrounds us, I AM here.  I am reminded more than anything, His devout love for me by sending His son to take my place for my sins. Sins of worry, fear, doubt and He teaches me, I AM here.

“I will never forget Your precepts, [how can I?] for it is by them You have quickened me (granted me life).” Psalm 119:93AMP

“It it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 73:28

Australian pelicans by JJ Harrison

“ And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13

Temptation peirasmos:  of “trials” of a varied character, Mat 6:13; Luk 11:4, where believers are commanded to pray not to be led into such by forces beyond their own control;Mat 26:41; Mar 14:38; Luk 22:40, 46, where they are commanded to watch and pray against entering into “temptations” by their own carelessness or disobedience; in all such cases God provides “the way of escape,” 1Cr 10:13 (where peirasmos occurs twice).

 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.¹⁴ But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).James 1: ¹³

Does this seem like a direct contradiction? It is not. That is why I included temptation’s definition. This is important.  “The request do not lead us into temptation is not to suggest God causes temptation, but is a rhetorical way to ask for his protection from sin.” netbible.org

James is furthering this point by saying the reason for our sin is not God. God is not tempting, luring people away from Him. That is a direct contradiction to His character. Look at the language of verse 14 of James 1, this is fisherman lingo! Satan baits his hook, (I’m not sure how I feel about being a fish, but go with it..), we have a choice to gaze at the temptation and swim away the opposite direction. OR we swim for the hook and we are pulled away by the hook.

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of  resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.1 Corinthians 10: 13

God is faithful, He can be trusted, He will always give a way out. We are able, capable, strong and powerful ONLY in His power and protection.

The word temptation as we read before is the same as in Matthew 6: peirasmos. Nothing we are facing in our lives today is beyond God’s ability working through you.

And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:40-41

We must always, always be active, cautious and attend to our thoughts. Always keeping our eyes open, watching and praying. We are to never let our guard down. Our flesh, as Jesus says, is very weak. Pray that you don’t fall into temptation. Think of the last time you gave into a temptation. Did you have hours to think about this or was it a fast exchange? My guess would be a fast exchange. Am I going to give into the train wreck of fear and worry?

Well, it is Sunday, time to get ready for church. God bless you and keep you. Pray on. Pray on.