The Green Forest tribune., 1915-06-18
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED.
LESSON TEXT -peol,, ,s,

'Oi4ofN 1EAT-keep me from tho snare which they have laid for me Psalm 141:9
 The style of this psalm closely re. sembles the known psalms of David in the first part of the psalter. From It's structure and character, it is to be credited to David. In it are pre. sented complaint, prayer and confi- dent hope of relief It is a petition for del1Verance from sins to which his af- nlctlons tempted him, and from the enemies who caused his afIiiction.
 l. Prayer. My prayer directed" (vv. l, 9. There is good reason for believing David wrote this while go- ing through the experience recorded in l Samuel 24 It 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 18:1-S). 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, "I 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:D. 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, D, and those who call in faith get deliv- erance (Rom 10:13). Such prayer, the fruit of heart and lips, is before God "as incense' and it's 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 sacrifice of sweet smelling savor.
 II. Practice. Incline not my heart to practice wicked works" (v. 4). Such prayer as here suggested demands preparation of purity. As the incense" was prepared with great care (Ex. 30:36) and it's fra grance was brought out by fire (Rom. S:26, 27; Eph. 6:1S), so likewise there must be 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 can no man tame Games 3:S), 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 even inclined to them (Matt. 6:13; Jam. 1:13). If he keeps the door we have safe guard Ps. 127:D.
 III. Position. Let him reprove me- w. 5-7. 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- tion. Fools hate reproof, wise men plead for it. David not only welcomed wisdom but (see R. V) promises to pray for such friends when calamltles come upon them and in the time when they are overcome by wlckedness. 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. VI. Death stared him in the face. His soul was torn as "one ploweth and cleaveth the earth
 w. Protection. "In thee do l put my trust" (R. VI. 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, 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 man harms by ms sin he harms himself most.
 Saloonkeepers and their sons most freouently fill the grave of the drunk ard.
 Gamblers nearly all lose their easy gains.
 They that take the sword perlsh bv the sword" Our only safety Is Je- hovah.
 God is constantly answering thls last prayer, and we do see the wicked falling into their own nets tPs. [: 15:16; 37:14, 15; Elk. 7:1O.
 This lesson has strong temperance suggestion and application. CD Pray