According to whom?

Verse for the week: “Plead my cause, O Lord, and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!” Psalm 119.154

Prayer for the week:  Almighty and merciful God, you are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  By your living word, day after day, convict us according to your judgments… and give us new life according to your promise; that we may find ourselves held fast by the comfort of your Spirit and of faith, in order that we may be justified in your Son and be saved through him, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Kirchenbuch für die Gemeinde (Isenhagen), edited, quoted in Orate Fratres, Gebetsordnung für evangelische-lutherische Pfarrer, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 1952, p. 76)

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 119.153-160

¹⁵³ Look on my affliction and deliver me,
    for I do not forget your law.
¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.
¹⁵⁶ Great is your mercy, O Lord;
    give me life according to your judgments.
¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
¹⁵⁸ I look at the faithless with disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love your precepts!
    Give me life according to your steadfast love.
¹⁶⁰ The sum of your word is truth,
    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for giving me life according to your judgment rather than mine. Keep it up, Lord. Defend me against the devil, the world, and my sinful self. Since I am a sojourner in this world and not at home unless hidden in you, give me life according to your promise, according to your steadfast love, now and for eternity. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved, classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mptPNjtMAoA

“Lead me not into temptation…”

What does this mean?

God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God would guard and protect us from this, that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or lead us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins. And we pray that when we are tempted in these ways, we may finally prevail and gain the victory. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction:  The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  (Romans 15.13)