Today’s Affirmation: The Lord delivers me out of my temptations.
I am weak but He is strong. Our Father who art in heaven can deliver us from evil. Yet, we white knuckle it and do our best to stop those things that tempt us. Some have great will power to overcome. Some of us are weak.
2 Peter 2:9 is the source of this daily affirmation. “… the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.” (NASV) The NLT says “So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials,…”
Peter says here, God KNOWS how to rescue us. Why O why do we keep devising ways to stop our evil ways on our own? Those things that tempt each of us; yours are probably different than mine but no one goes without facing their personal demons.
Do I ask the Lord to deliver me from evil or try to do it on my own? Step number one for us who have addictions says we must first admit we are powerless over our addictions and step two is to come to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.
The Lord’s Prayer, the model given by Jesus Himself says. “Deliver us from evil”. There was no mention that “if” you have evil do your best. It’s a given we all face evil and we should ask God to deliver us. What is your battle? Are you fighting these trials alone or are you asking God to deliver you?
Peter is clear here that there will be judgment and especially for those who have heard the good news but return to their own ways. 2 Peter 3:4 says to … “make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with God.” Yes, make every effort while asking God to deliver us. I ask Him today.
- Do you have any habits, hurts or hang ups that you struggle with today that you have tried to overcome on your own without great success?
- What kind of “tricks” have you tried to overcome on your own?
- Have you really asked God to deliver you with the faith that He will?
- If we can not see or do not know how to stop, do we really believe God does know?
God does know. If you have any struggles today may you ask God to deliver you from evil and keep evil far from you. Thank You God for knowing how, deliver me today.
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations4Life
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