The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-06-18
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED.

Its structure and character, it Is to
be credited to David. In it are pre-
sented complaint, prayer and conf
dent hope of relief. 1t is a petition for
deliVerance from sins to which his az
hlct1ons tempted him, and from the
enemies who caused his affection.
|. Prayer. my prayer directed"
wv. l, q. There is good reason for
believing David wrote this while 60
ing through the experience recorded
in | Samuel "a. 1t is evident he Is
passing through time of great stress
and was in dire need of help for he
urges haste in giving heed to his
call, duke 1873. David looks to
Jehovah as his only and sure helper
We are told to omit the first word
unto in this verse and to read, Il
have called thee" Every human help
had failed and faith fearlessly turns to
God. Can God be urged? Surely we
are taught that God respects his
"remembrancers" who cry day and
night psalm 4O:13; 69:17, IS; 7O:5;
n:12; 1870. To fold the hands
weakly and to "bide his time" is usu.
ally an evidence of spiritual debility
and of a desire to shirk the work
involved in true exercise of prayer.
True faith knows but one way of de-
liverance, that of prayer phil. 4:6, y,
and those who call in faith get deliv-
erance (Rom. 1919. Such prayer,
the fruit of heart and lips, Is before
God "as incense" and its effectiveness
does not depend upon its being pre-.
scented in the tabernacle-it is sac.
rifice" of praise well-pleasing to God.
We are to pray to God through his
Son and in the Holy Spirit. Such
prayer is set forth before him as a
sacrifice of sweet smelling SAVIOR.
n. Practice. incline not my heart
to practice wicked works"
". A.. Such prayer as here suggested
demands a preparation of purity. AS
the incense" was prepared with
great care eek. 30:36) and it's fra
GRANGE was brought out by fire (Rom.
1926, 81; Eph. 6:1S), so likewise there
must be a continual practice Of prayer
and an absence of wicked works.
In no way are we SO apt to sin as
with our lips, but back of the lips IS
the heart Matt. 1911; Luke 6:45).
The tongue can no man tame Games
3:S), yet God is able and his way IS
to cleanse the fountain To nave
the mouth filled first with prayer and
praise and then with evil is contrary
to reason and to Gods commands
David recognized that the heart is the
source of wicked works." and prayed
that he be not even inclined to
them Matt. 6:13; Jam. 1:1S). II ne
keeps the door" we have safe guard
Ps. 127:D.
III. Position. Let him reprove me"
Wv. 81. Faithful are the wounds OF
a friend" This seems to be the po-
sition David desired to occupy, one
that would be "a kindness" to him.
Such correction is as sweet oil. OIL
is healing and soothing and here SYM
bolizes the healing effect of correc-
ton. Fools hate reproof, wise men
plead for it. David not only welcomed
wisdom but (see R. W promises to
pray for such friends when calamltles
come upon them and in the time when
they are overcome by Wickedness.
When such are cast down by the rocky
roadside they shall hear my words,
says David, and they will be sweet.
The psalmist's experience, when hunt
ed as a partridge, taught him how to
appreciate the petitions of Jonathan,
his friend, whose words to him were
Sweet" A careful reading of verse
seven reveals David's dire extremity
(see Am. R. W. Death stared him
in the face. His soul was torn as zone
ploweth and cleaveth the earth
~, Protection. "In thee do | put my
trust" (R. w. Though thus brought
low David knew where to turn, ant
one to whom he could look. Thu
church of Christ needs to look II
God. to become like him. 1t needs tn
Transforming, encouraging, energlzln'
vision. David is now taking his eye
off the difficulties and fixing them OF
the one who enables him to ovel
come. Look unto me and be y
saved" Literally his prayer
snake not my soul naked" or 'pou
not out my SOUL 8,
whoever else a man harms by III
} ain he harms himself most.
saloonkeepers and their sons nno'
frequently fill the grave of the drum
ard. $50, .,o;r 90.
= gains. auord mari,
by the sword" Our only sale's Is .
hovah. ~
: God is constantly answering u
+ last prayer, and we do see the WICK
falling into their own nets ai US
: 1h.16: 37:14, Is; Elk. 7:lW'
l. This lesson has strong temperan
s suggestion and application. ~ FRA
C ers that God will hear; CD Prepa'
ton of the mouth and heart; Is, i
d .ition for reproof to learn thereh
1,.,t.o+ior from temptation a