Providence, forgiveness, leading and deliverance

Providence, forgiveness, leading and deliverance

Scripture:

Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:11-13

Observation:

The next part of the Lord’s prayer then looks at 4 personal aspects of God supplying our needs in different areas. Firstly, there is God’s provision of our needs. The self-made man thinks that everything he has is by his own sweat and blood, and believes he deserves all the possessions and glory he gets. However, in praying to God to give us our daily bread, we are acknowledging that it is God who gives us the power and ability to acquire wealth, to put the bread on the table, to maintain our home and provide for our children.

Secondly, there is God’s forgiveness of our sins. In praying to God to forgive us our sins, it is to acknowledge our shortcomings before God, that we fall short of His perfect glory and that it is only His mercy that sustains us, and grants us undeserved salvation. A precondition of God forgiving us is specifically put into the prayer for us to remember that we must forgive others as God has forgiven us, no matter how difficult it may be.

Thirdly, there is God’s leading us away from temptation. In James, it is written that God doesn’t tempt anyone, so it is not so much about God tempting us, but rather God leading us away from the temptations that assail us daily from the world. When we pray as such, we are also showing our mindset that we wish to live lives that are pure before God and not indulge in the sins that the world calls us commit.

Fourthly, there is God’s protection. The Psalmist’s image of the Shepherd taking care of the sheep and protecting them from wild animals and danger comes readily to mind. Unless God watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Ultimately, whatever we do, it is still God’s protection that is most important to deliver us from evil, and it is in God that we must hope for the safety of ourselves and our families.

Application:

Even as we think about the Lord’s prayer, let us look to God in expectation for provision of all our daily needs. Let us ask for His forgiveness humbly, knowing the fallen state we are in pending the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us hope in God to lead us away from temptations that we may not fall into the snares of the world, and let us trust in God for His divine protection in an unsafe world, believing that He sends His mighty angels to encamp around us and guard us.

Prayer:

Praise thee Father in Heaven, for You are Jehovaj Jireh, who provides all our needs. You give us generously all things that we need, and enable us to provide for ourselves and our families. Forgive our sins O Lord, even as we release and forgive those who sin against us. Lead us along paths of purity O Lord, away from the temptations of the world calling unto us. Grant us Your divine protection always O Lord, for us and our families. Only in You will we trust as our Great Protector and Deliverer. In Jesus name, Amen.