The Brinkley argus., 1915-06-18
LESSON FOR JUNE 20
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPTED.

GOLDEN TEXT-Keep me from the 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 deliverance from sins to which his af- fictions tempted him, and from the enemies who caused his affiiction.
 1. Prayer. "My prayer directed" (vv. 1, 9. There is good reason for believing David wrote this while go- ing through the experience recorded ,u I Samuel 24. It 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, (Luke 18:1-8). 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, T 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; 143:7). To fold the hands weakly and to "bide his time" is usu- ally an evidence of spiritual debility end of desire to shirk the work involved in true exercise of prayer. True faith knows but one way of de, nverance, 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 it's being pre- sented in the tabernacle-it is a 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 a 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. 8:26, 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). Tho tongue can no man tame (James 3:8), 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 . friend" This seems to be the DO sition David desired to occupy, one that would be "a kindness" to him. Such correction is as sweet oil. OH h healing and soothing and here sym beliEss the healing effect of correc' ten. Fools hate reproof, wise men plead for it. David not only welcomed wisdom but (sse R. V) promises to pray fer such friends when calamities como upon them and in the time when they are overcome by wtckedness' When such arc cast down by the rocky roadside they shall hear my words, says David, and they will be sweet The psalmists experience, when hunt cd 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 (ses Am. R. VI. Death stared nm in the face. His soul was torn as one Dloweth and cleaveth the earth. w. Protection. Tn thee do put my trust" (R. VI. Though thus brough' low David knew where to turn, ane one to whom he could look. The church of Christ needs to look te | God. to become like him. It needs the transforming, encouraging, energlzin@ vision. David is now taking his eyes of the difficulties and fixing them or | the one who enables him to over ] come. Look unto me and be yt saved" Literally his prayer If make not my soul naked or "poul not out my soul
 Whoever else man harms by hli sin he harms himself most.
 Saloonkeepers and their sons mos frequently fill the grave of the drunk ard.
 Gamblers nearly all lose their eas. gains. 1 They that take the sword perisi by the sword" Our only safety Is Je | hovah.
 | God is constantly answering thl
 last prayer, and we do see the wicke' falling into their own nets CPS. ( l 15:16; 37:14, IS; Ex. 7:1O)
 This lesson has strong temperance suggestion and application. CD Pray CTS that God will hear; (2) Prepara ties of the mouth and heart; (S) r.
 tition for reproof to learn thereby
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