Mike,

I enjoyed reading “After the Counsel of His Own Will” on the Internet.

How do you interpret Mat 6:13 “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one (NKJV)”? From your teaching, it would seem that we should pray that GOD not turn us over to the buffeting of Satan, but yet “not to despise the chastening of the Lord.” Resist the devil and he will flee?

Any Light would be appreciated.

Thank You,

B____

Hi B____,

I am glad you enjoyed reading the paper on the sovereignty of God. You are right. We should pray to God not to “try us above what we are able to bear, but with every trial to provide a way of escape, so that we will be able to bear it.”

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Co 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Knowing that God is sovereign does not exempt us from our need to be ‘the importunate widow.’ Knowing that God is sovereign demands that we become the importunate widow, and it demands that we beg and plead with God to give us His chastening grace to endure to the end the trials that are to come upon us.

The verses you refer to are:

Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This is, of course, what is commonly called ‘the Lord’s prayer.’ These words are repeated by millions of Christians every day. Yet they are not even aware of what is coming out of their own mouths. Here they are asking God not to lead them into evil and temptation, and with the same mouth teaching that God does not create evil.

Of course, believing God’s word as we do, we know better:

Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Isa 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

So yes, we do ask God who “creates evil” not to let the Adversary buffet us above what we are able to bear.”

I hope this is of some help.

Mike