“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.” Matthew 6:13
In David’s great Psalm 23, he writes: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (v.4) If ever there was a man who was confronted with enemies, potentially being killed by them, it was David. It seems that the “fear of death” would be his constant companion as a result, but it was not. Why? There was a greater reality, or power and authority, than that which his enemies possessed. There was first the certainty that David would not die before his time, as set by God, because he believed that God would literally protect him until that day. This is seen in his numerous military sorties, where he is constantly surrounded in battle with those who are intent on destroying him. How could he engage the enemy in this manner, without fear? It had to do with two things, the first being the promise of God’s literal presence with him. God in the battle was just as present with him, as He was when David was worshipping in the temple. David’s simple, but all-encompassing statement, “…for Thou art with me,” envelopes his whole being. Also, there was a greater purpose involved in David’s walk with God, and this, in spite of the spiritual enemies that opposed him. In Matthew’s gospel, where the Lord Jesus gave to us, “The Lord’s Prayer,” we find Him teaching His disciples to pray concerning this spiritual warfare with the enemies of our souls: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We know from James’ epistle that temptation does not originate with the Lord, but in Satan himself. There is the appeal here by the believer, to God, to enable him to avoid, or recognize and overcome, the effort of the enemy to make him sin by unbelief and, or, disobedience. The Lord then instructs the believer to pray very directly, and clearly, “….deliver us from evil,” or from the evil one. What is the great confidence that the believer has when he prays this prayer in this manner? Like David, he is certain of the presence of God, and again, it is that same presence that he knows when he is worshipping the Lord. Secondly, as the Lord points out later in the prayer, “…for Thine is the power and the glory, for ever and ever.” In that phrase is revealed the superior power and authority that God in Christ possesses, and exerts, on behalf of the believer. This is seen in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians when he writes: “…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 of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) The Lord Jesus, by His example and words, along with David and Paul, address this matter of this spiritual conflict, specifically speaking of temptation, but also, of trial and difficulty, by revealing the certain presence of God, along with His promises to keep that which has been committed to Him. There is at least one more aspect of this matter of not fearing evil that must be addressed.
If God is our keeper, and can keep us even in the “valley of the shadow of death” by His power and authority, we must hear also pay attention to the words of the Lord Jesus: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.” (Matt. 10:28) Fear has its basis, and expression, in loss. When a person comes to Christ, and though, in one sense, he loses his life to live for Christ, there is that which he will never lose, for is life, his soul, is hid inseparably one with Christ in God
Dear Father, Give us grace to trust Thee to keep us from evil, serving Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.