I paused this morning for some much needed Bible time. I’ve been reading the Gospel of Matthew, specifically the sermon on the mount, but slower this time.
In chapter 6, Jesus said,
When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Then, Jesus taught us to pray. I’ll admit, I’ve mindlessly rushed through it at church, but today, I spent a little more time with it.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Sometimes, I stumble on words. If God is leading us away from temptation, why would He have to deliver us? Shouldn’t that be and deliver us instead of but deliver us?
He may lead us not into temptation, but, if we find ourselves there anyway, then we need Him to deliver us.
And now… the rest of the story.
We were invited to lunch with a client, a whole group of us. The place was nice, the food was good, but the waitresses were wearing… let’s just say not enough.
One glance had me counting my shoelaces.
Then I took off my glasses because I couldn’t see far past my nose without them. Still not good enough.
Then this morning’s Scripture came to mind:
Lead us not into temptation.
Well, I’m here.
But… deliver us from the evil one.
There it is.
I don’t recall how many times I prayed that prayer.
Then God whispered:
Count your ice cubes.
What?
Count your ice cubes.
Thirteen.
Count them again.
Still thirteen.
My chair was right next to a wooden column which, thankfully, provided an obstructed view.
And each time the waitresses came near, I heard:
Count your ice cubes.
As soon as lunch ended, I quickly made my exit, looking at anything other than what lied before me.
What I thought was simply pondering Scripture that I’d read a thousand times, was actually building up armor for the battle ahead.
I am grateful.
… And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
He will provide you a way out.
Even if it’s counting ice cubes.