Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:41; Proverbs 4:14-15; Psalm 119:105
A steamboat was stranded in the Mississippi River, and the captain could not get her off. Eventually a hard-looking fellow came on board, and said:
“Captain, I understand you want a pilot to take you out of this difficulty?”
The captain said, “Are you a pilot?”
“Well, they call me one.”
“Do you know where the snags and sand-bars are?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, how do you expect to take me out of here if you don’t know where the snags and sand-bars are?”
“I know where they ain’t!” was the reply.
Beware of temptations. “Lead us not into temptation,” our Lord taught us to pray; and again He said, “Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” We are weak and sinful by nature, and it is a good deal better for us to pray for deliverance rather than to run into temptation and then pray for strength to resist.