The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-06-18
INTERNATIONAL
LESSON
5By E. o. SELLERS. Acting ptrscecG q
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED.
'CBy E. o. SELLERS. Acting DtrocsoI Ct.
Sunday School Course OF Moody Bieo
Institute. Chicago)

LESSON TEXT-PSalm ~.
GOLDEN TEST-Keep me- from the
snare which they have laid for me-
Psalm 1873.
The style OF this psalm closely re-
sembles the known psalms Of Daytdtn
the first part OF the psalter. From
its structure and character. It IL 20
be credited to David. In It are pre-
sented complaint, prayer and conf
dent hope Of relief. 1t is . petition for
deliverance from sins to which his af-
eictions tempted him, and from the
enemies who caused his afniction.
/. Prayer. MY prayer directed
wv. !, y. There is good reason for
believing David wrote this while go
ing through the experience recorded
IN | Samuel "a. It is evident he u
passing through a time OF great stress
and was in dire need OF help for he
urges haste" in giving heed 70 his
call. Duke 1919. David looks to
Jehovah as his only and sure he'ner.
We are told to omit the first frd
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
'remenbrancers'' who cry day and
night" psalm 40:13: 69:17. IS: 7o:6:
71:l2; 1880. To fold the hands
weakly and to "bide his time Is 3D.
ally an evidence OF spiritual debility
and OF a desire TO shirk the work
involved in a true exercise Of prayer.
True faith knows but one way Of do
Iiverance. that OF prayer (Phl. as, d.
and those who call in faith get deliyi
erance Rom. 1913. Such prayer.
the fruit OF heart and lips, is before
, God "as incense and its effectiveness
does not depend upon its being pre-
sented in the tabernacle-It Is q sac
rifce'' OF praise wellpleasing to God.
We are to pray to God through his
Son and in the Holy Spirit. Such
prayer is set forth before him % .
sacrifice Of sweet smelling SAVIOR.
II. Practice. Incline not my heaFs
10 practice wicked works"
". A. Such prayer as here suggested
demands a preparation of purity. AZ
the incense was prepared with
great care (Ex. 30:3s) and its ma.
GRANGE was brought out by hre (Rom-
S:26, 27; Eph. 6:1S). so likewise there
must be a continual practice Of prayer
and an absence Of wicked workas
In no way are We so apt to sin a.
with our lips, but back Of tia Hpa -
the heart (Matt. 1911; Luke 6:4B1.
The tongue can no man tame Flames
3:s), vet God is able and his way ts
to cleanse the fountain. 10 haEs
the mouth filed first with UrayeeAnt
praise and then with evil Is contrary
TO reason and to Gods commands.
I David recognized that the heaftB
source OF wicked works." and PRAYED
that he be not ven inclined" 70
them (Matt. 6:1s: jam. 1:is)s Il he
keeps the door" We have safe guard
Ps. 127:1).
III. Position. Let him Teproye ne
w. 81. Faithful are the wounds d
a friend" This seems to be the pc%
sition David desired to occupy, one
that would be "a kindness" to hin.
Such correction is as sweet oil on
is healing and soothing and here syn
bolizes the healing effect Of coETec,
ton. Fools hate reproof, wise men
plead for It. David not only welcomed
wisdom but (see R. W promises 20
pray for such friends when calsmites
come upon them and In the time when
they are overcome by wiekedness.
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 hump
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 Dayid's dire extremity
(see Am. r. W. Death stared him
in the face. His soul was torn as one
ploweth and cleaveth the earth"
~. Protection. IN thee do I put my
trust" Or. w. Though thus brought
low David knew where to turn, and
one to whom he could look. The
church OF Christ needs to look to
God, to become like him. It needs the
Transforming, encouraging, energiEtng
vision. David is now taking his eyes
on the difficulties and fixing them on
the one who enables him to over
come. Look unto me and be ye
saved" Literally his prayer u
make not my soul naked" OF pour
not out my soul"
Whoever else a man harms By bis
sin he harms himself most.
Saloonkeepers and their sons most
frequently fill the grave Of the drunk
Gamblers nearly all lose thsir easy
gains.
They that take the sword perish
by the sword" Our only safety 81 Je
hovah.
a. no.ot,ntIv on.war,n1 &hga