The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-06-18
INTERNATIONAL
SUNlAYSC[IOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED.
BY e. o. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
Sunday School Course of Moody Bible
Institute, Chicago.)

LESSON TEXT-Psalm AL
GOLDEN TEXT-Keep me from the
snare which they have laid for me-
Psalm 1919.
The style Of this psalm closely re-
sembles the known psalms of David in
the first part of the psalter. From
its structure and character, 1t is to
be credited to David. In it are pre-
scented complaint, prayer and conf
dent hope of relief. 1t is a-petition for
deliverance from sins to which his af'
fiictions tempted him, and from the
enemies who caused his affliction.
|. Prayer. "My prayer directed"
wv. /, p. There is good reason for
believing David wrote this while go
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 40:13; 69:17, IS; 7O:5;
71:12; 143:D. To fold the hands
weakly and to "bide his time" is usu-
ally an evidence of spiritual debility
and of desire to shirk the work
involved in a true exercise Of prayer.
True faith knows but one way of de-
liverance, that of prayer (Phil. AS, y,
and those who call in faith get deliv-
erance from. 1913. 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 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 hear
to practice wicked works
| ". ~. Such prayer as here suggested
demands a preparation of purity. AS
the incense" was prepared witt
great care Eek. 30:96) and its fra
GRANGE was brought out by fire from
1926, 27; 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 al
with our lips, but back of the lips Ii
the heart Matt. 15:11; Luke 6:45)
The tongue can no man tame Games
3:S), yet God is able and his way il
to cleanse the fountain To have
the mouth filed first with prayer ant
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" tt
them Matt. GLIB; Jam. 1:13). If he
keeps the door" we have safe guarC
Ps. 127:D.
III. Position. Let him reprove me-
w. 81. Faithful are the wounds o.
friend" This seems to be the pc
sition David desired to occupy, ont
that would be "a kindness" to him
Such correction is as sweet oil. OF
is healing and soothing and here sym
bolizes the healing effect of correc
ton. Fools hate reproof, wise mel
plead for it. David not only welcomed
wisdom but (see R. W promises tt
pray for such friends when calamitie
come upon them and in the time wheI
they are overcome by wickedness
When such are cast down by the rock!
roadside they shall hear my words,
says David, and they will be sweet
The psalmist's experience, when hunt
ed as partridge, taught him how t.
appreciate the petitions of Jonathan
his friend, whose words to him wer
sweet" A careful reading of vers
seven reveals David's dire extremit.
(see Am. R. W. Death stared hin
in the face. His soul was torn as "on'
ploweth and cleaveth the earth"
~. Protection. In thee do put m,
trust" (R. W. Though thus brough
low David knew where to turn, an
one to whom he could look. TIL
church of Christ needs to look t
God, to become like him. 1t needs tn
Transforming, encouraging, energizin
vision. David is now taking his eye
off the difficulties and fixing them Oh
the one who enables him to over
come. Look unto me and be y
saved" Literally his prayer i
make not my soul naked" or "pou
not out my SOUL"
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 take the sword perisl
by the sword" Our only safety is j
hovah.