"Devotional Period”

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 1, 1 March 1951, Page 3

"Devotional Period”

“Lead U» Net into Temptation" Reading: Matthew 6:13. (iod in His great j ONe j s seeking to develop in us the precious graces of His Spirit. He permits us to encounter obstacles and hardships, not as a punishment, but as the greatest blessing of our lives. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne, gives us a new experience and advances us in the work of character-building. The soul that through divine power resists temptation, reveals to the world and to the heavenly universe the efficacy of the grace of Christ. When we offer the prayer that Christ has given, we surrender ourselves to the guidance of God, asking Him to lead us in sale paths. We cannot offer this prayer whole-heartedly if we are thinking o walking in another direction, we must wait for His voice to say, “This is she way, walk ye in it.” The prayer ‘Load us not into temptation,” is itself a promise. If we commit ourselves to God, we have the assurance, “He will not suffer us to he tempted alvove what we arc able to hear.” The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling cf Christ in the heart, through faith in His righteousness. It is because selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power o\er us, but when we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its hideous and repulsive form, we then desire to have it expelled from our lives. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are softened and subdued, the temptation loses its pow'er, and the giace of Christ transforms the character. Christ \vill never abandon the soul for whom He has died. The soul ma’’ leave Him and he overpowefed wLh temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. To us, as to Peter, the word is spoken, “Satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but 1 have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Live in contact with the living Christ and He will hold you firmly by a hind that will never let you go Know and believe the 10/e that God has for you and you are secure; that love is a fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” Prayer: Heavenly Father, who hast promised that we shall liot he tempted above that which we are able to bear, strengthen us we pray Thee, with the power of Thy Holy Spirit; may we never forget that Thou art with us. Help us when we are tempted, that we sin not, and fill us ,vith Thy love. We ask these petitions in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. A. S. SHERMAN, (Evangelistic Supt.)