Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-10-05
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDAySQIOOL
LESSON
by REV. =. b. FlrZWATEk, D. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chlcago)
copyright, 1917. Western Newspaper union,)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 7
PSALMS OF DELlvERANcE.

THESE Psalms breathe the spirit VI
the true patriot The Psalmlst sees
his afflicted country suffering for tht
sins Of the people, prays for theli
restoration to the Divine favor, and
with the eagle eye Of faith anticipates
the Joyful day of spiritual and TEN
poral blessings because of restoration
to the Divine favor. Doubtless such
patriotism would be pleasing TO the
Lord on the part of Us all
Psalm So.
I. Praises for Merele. Received
wv. 1-5).
Praise Is given for
% peliyerance from Captivity ".
y.
He had In mind the specific mercies
of a given time; perhaps II was one
Of the expressions Of the fhlliStlnes
from which they had been delivered
There seems to be no good ground FOR
thinking that this was deliyerahce
from the Babylonlan captivity HIS
praise Is given to the Lord, The name
revealed to Moses when the people
were In bondage. It was fitting for
him 10 appeal to God by the name
which expressed tho Divine attribute
most concerned. The central meaning
of the name Lord is the Exchanging,
Self-Existing one.
(21 Forgiveness of Sin wv. >, 81.
Thou hast forgiven the inquity-
covered all their sin. Gods restora-
ton was the proof that he had par
doned. Great indeed was the sin OF
Jacob, but Gods forgiveness was great
er. lie is peculiarly God of mercy.
Having forgiven the sins his anger Is
taken away. He stayed his hand from
the Judgment which would have justly
fallen, to show his mercy. Many times
he does this with us. The reason he
can do this is that he has found n
way by which he can be just, and at
the same time justify the sinner from.
13 .26). In ChrlSt's atonement all our
sins are blotted out, covered up, and
because of this Gods burning, fierce
anger is turned from US.
II. Prayer for Restoration Fror,
BacksIidine wv. 40,
He knew how worthless the outward
blessings of the Lord would be unless
the people inWurdly turned to the
Lord He. therefore, besought the
Lord 10 give them the greater blessing,
that OF ehange of heart. Without the
change of heart forgiveness would be
futile. \ change Of heart can only be
by Gods help Salvation and restora-
tlon is only possible as God beStows
enabling grace. No one can come to
God by his own efforts II was for this
reason that the Psalmist prayed that
God would turn them. Only as the
people turn from their sins can Gods
anger be turned aside. Two things are
prayed for:
"a That God would turn the hearts
of his people toward himself ". ~.
knowing the peoples utter helpless
ness to turn to Goo, he cried out to
God to save them by turning them to
himself. He knew that Gods anger
could not turn from the people as long
MS they were Impenitent.
(2) That God would take away the
very remembrance of their sins wv.
5-0.
tal The ending OF his anger ". 81.
The desire seems 10 be that he would
wipe out the very marks Of his dis.
pleasure by not longer allowing pun.
lshment to be melted out to them.
% The return to the peoples joy
". 81.
Their joy could only be realized
through revival from God. The
PSalmiSt now becomes more bold In his
requests. He is getting near enough to
Gods heart to know that he delights
In the welfare of his children, delights
In their joy. The sure proof of re-
vival Is JOY.
(c)Shall show them mercy ". y.
make 1t visible" is his cry. Gods
Judgment was most real. His desire Is
that his mercy would be just as real.
III. Exultant Anticipation wv. S-l3).
Having spoken the sentiment of the
repentant people, the poet expresses
confidence of the Lords response. So
faithful Is God that those who SIM
cerely pray to him can go forward
with the assurance cf petitions granted.
~ "He will speak peace" ". 81.
He knew that a gentle answer would
come, but It's continuance would de-
pend upon the fidelity of the people.
Turning to folly would provoke again
his wrath.
(2) WIN bring his salvation near
". 81.
Only as his salvation was near could
glory be in the land.
(3) Devise a way by which Mercy
and truth" righteousness and peace, -
may be united tvv. 10, 1D.
He did not suggest way. He may
not have known 1t. Faith now sees
the way In Christ. In him such q
union has been blessedly effected.
(4) The land shall become fruitful
". 1D.
When sin is removed, temporal pros
perity shall follow. Earth's barren
ness is due to sin. When the curse Is
removed fruitfulness shall follow.
(5) Righteousness shall be the
guide of his people ". 12).
In that golden, glad age Gods right
eous ways will leave track In which
his own may walk with security.
Psalm 1875.
l. The Fact Of lions Deliveranc.
wv. l, y.
"a By whom ". ~. The Lord.