Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-06-17
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED.

LESSON TEST-Psalm al.
GOLDEN TEXT-Keep me from the
snare which they have laid for me
Psalm l4ls.
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, It is to
be credited to David. In 1t are pre-
sented complaint, prayer and conf.
dent hope OF relief. 1t Is a petition for
deliverance from sins to which his at.
fiictions tempted him, and from the
enemies who caused his afiiction.
I. Prayer. "My prayer directed"
wv. l, p. There is good reason for
believing David wrote this while 60
ing through the experience recorded
in | Samuel "a. 1t is evident he ia
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 1919. 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, 81
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, 10; 70:5:
71:l2; 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 a true exercise Of prayer.
True faith knows but one way of de-
l%iverance, that Of prayer phil. 4:6, y,
and those who call in faith get deliv-
erance Rom. 1913. Such prayer,
the fruit of heart and lips, is before
God las incense and it's effectiveness
does not depend upon its being pre-.
scented In the tabernacle-it is a sac
rifce' 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 al q
sacrifice of sweet smelling avo
u. Practice. Incline not my heart
. . 10 pThctlCe WlChtu WOiho
". A.. Such prayer as here suggested
demands a preparation of purity. As
the incense" was prepared with
great care lex. 30:36) and its fra
GRANGE a brought out by fire from.
1926. 27; Eph. 6:lS). 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 (James
$3.50, yet God is able and his way is
to cleanse the fountain. To have
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 wen inclined to
them Matt. 6:13; Jam. 1913. II he
keeps the door We have a safe guard
Ps. l27:l).
10. Position. Let him reprove me"
w. 81. Faithful are the wounds Of
a friend" This seems to be the po-
sition David desired to occupy, n
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 moi only welcomed
wisdom but (see r. W 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 him were
~"sweet." A careful reading of verse
eve reveals David'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. I'm thee do l put my
trust (R. W. Though thus brought
low David knew where to turn, and
n to whom he could look. The
church Of Christ needs to look to
God, to become like him. 1t needs the
Transforming, encouraging, energizing
vision. David Is now taking his eyes
off the difficulties and fixing them on
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 pour
not out my SOUL
Whoever else a man harms by his
sin he harms himself most.
Saloonkeepers and their sons most
frequently fll the grave OF the drunk.
ard.
Gamblers nearly all lose their easy
gains.
They that take the sword perish
by the sword" Our only safety is Je-
hovah.
God 10 constantly answering this
last prayer, and We do see the wicked
falling into their own nets FPS. z:
1916; 37:14, 10; Elk. 7:1O).
This lesson has q strong temperance
suggestion and application. % Pray.