Topic: Seeking Deliverance From Hard Testing

Text: Matthew 6:13
Key Verse: Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.’ – Matthew 6:13 GNT

One of the beauties of having Jesus as Master is his kind heart. He shared every piece of information on his days on earth that would help his disciples succeed, especially answering all their questions. Teaching them to pray was a great gift to them and us who have come to faith in him.

Jesus taught them to ask for deliverance from complex tests and the evil ones. Why is this prayer necessary? Christians pray more in times of need and neglect to pray in times of abundance and peace, ignoring the presence of the adversary, Satan, who roams the earth seeking who to devour.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: – 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Jesus also revealed the devil’s mission on earth to warn us to be on guard at all times. God cast down Satan to the world from heaven, and his mission is to prevent believers from living the abundant life Jesus has secured for them.

The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come so that you might have life—life in all its fullness. – John 10:10 GNT

Even for believers living right and giving him no foothold, the devil does not relent to accuse them before the Father and seeks to put them to the test as he did to Job.

When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord, Satan was there among them. The Lord asked him, “What have you been doing?” Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth.” Did you notice my servant Job?” the Lord asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil.” Satan replied, “Would Job worship you if he got nothing out of it? You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does, and you have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. But now suppose you take away everything he has—he will curse you to your face!” All right,” the Lord said to Satan, “everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself.” So Satan left. – Job 1:6-12 GNT

Satan cannot afflict any believer unless the Lord permits it and if the believer gives him a foothold. The devil seeks to attack your body, businesses, relationships, career, ministry, and soul.

Don’t give the devil a chance. – Ephesians 4:27 GNT

The above verse of Scripture is tucked in between verses that reveal different acts of a believer that can give the devil access into their lives. Lying, stealing, anger, bitterness, and unwholesome speaking are a few things mentioned there.

In any test, God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will make a way of escape for you.

Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it and so provide you with a way out. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 GNT

When we pray to God to deliver us, he sometimes answers by showing us the evil in our hearts.

If we are tempted by such trials, we must not say, “This temptation comes from God.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he tempts no one. But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. – James 1:13-15 GNT

God delivers from the many devices of the enemy against us, but when we before overconfident and refuse to pray, we fall cheaply into temptation. God protected David from his enemies at war against him, but the lust in his heart prevailed against him.

Jesus warned Peter of the test that would come to him, but rather than pray, Peter boasted and became prey. When we pray, we acknowledge our need for supernatural help; God, in His omnipotence, deploys the angels who minister to the heirs of salvation to act on their behalf. Prayer releases angelic help to strengthen the believer and to deliver from hard tests. If it happened in the old covenant, we have a better covenant in Jesus.

Then he prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord answered his prayer, and Elisha’s servant looked up and saw the hillside covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. – 2 Kings 6:17 GNT

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions\’ mouths that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. – Daniel 6:22 KJV

Don’t you know that I could call on my Father for help, and at once, he would send me more than twelve armies of angels? – Matthew 26:53 GNT

But that night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates, led the apostles out, and said to them, – Acts 5:19 GNT.

There are several testimonies of miraculous deliverances both in Scripture and in contemporary times when people ask the Father for deliverance from temptation and evil. Listening to the counsel of the Lord can is the guarantee of victory.

We wrestle against invisible spirits that cannot die; they function through humans and their devices. Prayer opens our eyes and helps us discern them. We are equipped with weapons of warfare; we need the Lord to cover our backs and give us victory, especially in our vulnerability and times of weariness.

Prayer

Father, l thank you that you are ever-present and all-powerful. You have promised never to leave nor forsake me; in times of rest or war, teach me to pray always. Deliver me from an exaggerated opinion of myself and my ideas, help me lean entirely on you for protection and deliverance in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor Ada

Photo by Adli Wahid on Unsplash