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NASB | Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], [Ezek 34:11-31] I shall not want. |
Bible Question:
As a new christian, I am hoping that my question does not seem "stupid". The Lord's prayer says, "And do not lead us into temptation" (Matt 6:13) I thought that Satan was the one who leads us into temptation and perhaps God "allows" it as a testing of our faith. Can anyone here help me to understand this better or point out in what way this is meant to be understood if I have interpreted it incorrectly? Appreciate your help. His grace child, Toni |
Bible Answer: That's not a stupid question. It's honest and understandable. Scripture is not always straight-forward, and some things are difficult even after we've studied them for a long time. Taking a note from Matthew Henry's commentary (see http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC40006.HTM ), Jesus may be instructing us to ask the Father to protect us from the circumstances that exploit our sinful weaknesses. God is absolutely sovereign over every small detail in our lives, but he doesn't shelter us from the sinfulness of our hearts or that of others. I don't know why. He seems to urge us to trust Him and focus on Him not matter how troubling our situation. Notice in Psalm 23, the Shepherd does actually lead us through the valley of the shadow of death. Couldn't we just avoid that valley? I guess not; but praise His name that He takes us through it. I would hate to go it alone. So "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil" urges the Lord to protect us from our sinful hearts, to defend us from temptation, but when that temptation does come (because of the nature of the world God has left us in) to give us strength and faith to endure. |