Keep us from evil

Scripture:  Luke 22:3-6: “3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.”

Observations:  God came to Moses in the form of a burning bush.  Moses argued with God about his ability to serve him, but eventually Moses followed God’s directions.  Wow, how I can relate to that personally.  Moses met up with his brother Aaron who believed that God had truly sent Him to help Moses.  Their first encounter with the Israelites was a positive one, but after asking Pharaoh to let them go and worship the Lord, the Israelites were punished by Pharaoh, and they turned against Moses and Aaron. That seems so human to me.  In Luke we have the last supper, betrayal, mocking and trying of Jesus.  It always angers me how they abused Jesus.

Application:  I have to wonder what made Judas susceptible to Satan.   He was with Jesus every day.   He had Jesus teaching him almost one-on-one.  It reminds me of the story in Matthew 12 of the body being purified and the evil spirit that left him wanders but finds no where suitable, so he returns and brings seven worse spirits with him.  There is a warning there to be on guard. As Peter says, the enemy prowls like a hungry lion looking for a soul to devour.  We need to stay close to Jesus.  We need to stay away from those we know are evil.  A friend of mine has fought the good fight and is in her last days, and she is being tormented by Satan.  I so pray that she is able to stay strong and win this last battle.

Prayer:  Lord God, you are merciful and powerful.  You can ward off our enemies.  You can protect us from evil.  Keep us from temptation.  Lead us to do your will.  I pray this in the precious name of Jesus Christ.

​Tomorrow’s reading:  Exodus 6-8; Luke 23