Safe from Temptation and Evil
Luther in his explanation to this petition says, “God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we ask in this prayer that God would watch over us and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins.” And in the next part of this petition he says, “We ask that in this inclusive prayer that our heavenly Father would save us from every evil to body and soul, and at our last hour would mercifully take us from the troubles of this world to himself in heaven.”
These are powerful petitions. We “get off the rails” so easily in life, and knowing that we have a God who is constantly watching over us and guarding us gives us comfort beyond all hope. Picture guardrails on a dangerous road. They are there so that as we are traveling through our life we are safe from the harm and danger that could be ours. That is our God watching over us.
Many of us may have some sort of protection for our homes—locks for our doors and perhaps even cameras. Know this, we are locked into the caring arms of our God and he has his eye ever over us.
Whatever it is that is making you fearful today, whatever is robbing you from experiencing the joy that our God has promised us, allow that fear to be placed into the hands of the God who is holding you. Allow God to be your guide the One who will keep you from all harm and danger.
Prayer: Into your hands O Lord, I give you all that I am. Hold me, guide me, heal me. Amen.
Pastor Jerry
