Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-06-18
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED.

semDleS the known psalms OF David in
the first part of the psalter. From
Its structure and character, it is 10
be credited to David. In 4 sre o.~~
sented complaint, prayer and uonn-
dent hope of relief. 1t is a petition for
uellverance from sins to which his at
hictions tempted him, and from the
enemies who caused his affection.
|. Prayer. my prayer directed"
wv. 1, p. There is good reason for
believing David wrote this while 60
ing through the experience recorded
In l Samuel "a. 1t is evident he is
passing through a time of great stress
and was in dire need of help for he
urges haste" in giving heed to his
call, (Luke 1918. 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 40:13; 69:17, Is; 70:5;
71:12; 143:O. 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 a true exercise of prayer.
True faith knows but ON way of de-
liverance, that of prayer (Phil. AS, y,
and those who call in faith get deliv-
erance i(Rom. 1913. Such prayer,
the fruit of heart and lips, is before
God "as incense" and it's effectiveness
does not depend upon its being pre-
sented in the tabernacle-it is a sac
rifice' 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 as a
sacrifice of sweet smelling SAVIOR.
II. Practice. Incline not my heart
T.. to practice wicked works"
". ~. Such prayer as here suggested
demands a preparation of purity. As
the incense" was prepared with
great care (Ex. 3O:36) and it's fra
GRANGE was brought out by fire from.
1925, u: Eph. 6:18), 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. 15:11; Luke 6:45).
The tongue a no man tame James
$3.50, yet God is able and his way Is
to cleanse the fountain. To have
the mouth filled frs. 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. 1:13). If he
keeps the door" we have a safe guard
Ps. 127:1). God permits circum-
stances to come upon us which test
our in~clinations and cur desires. d.
vid, feeling his own weakness and
w~ickedness, pleads for a heart that
is not inclined to evil n as a further
safeguard that he be delivered 1rum
the intercourse with men that work
iniquity." Association with such men
separate us from God lisa. 59:2). Thus
David prays for a separate life. To
lust after the dainties of the world
and to participate therein o o leads
to having the hands occupied in
deeds of w~ickedness" ". 4 R. W.
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. VI promises to
pray for such friends when calamities
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 hin 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 l put my
trust" (R. W. Though thus brought
low David knew where to turn, and
one to whom he could look. The
church of Christ needs to look tt
God, to become like him. 1t needs the
Transforming, encouraging, energizing
vision. David is now taking his eyes
off the difficulties and fixing them OF
the one who enables him to over
come. Look unto me and be ye
saved" Literally his prayer is
make not my soul naked or "poul
not out my soul" David had made
proof of God among the sheep, al
the court, as a fugitive, on battlefield
in adversely and in prosperity, even il
gross sin, yet God had not forsaker
him. Our David has promised to abide
with all who put their trust in hin
John 14:18 R. W. AS his enemies
had set their snares God had deliv
cred David from them. Satan's gin'
or snares are pride, passion, sensual
n.y. lulSLApOI duSOp oAOths SACCN1 IAoi
ice, ~covetousness, hatred, falsehood
and so on, an interminable list, easil!
seer as sharing others, hard to b.
recognized as sharing our W feet.
We need to pray the prayer keel
me-" ". 81 as well as the prayer o
verse ten.
Whoever else a man harms by hi
sin he harms himself most.
Saloonkeepers and their sons mos
frequently fill the grave of the drunk
ard.
Gamblers nearly all lose their cas-.
gains.
They that AXE the sword perisl
by the sword" Our only safety is Je
) hovah.
3 God is constantly answering thi
: last prayer, an we do see the wicke'
] falling into their own nets FPS. z
1916; 37:14, Is; Elk. 7:10).