A Prayer Of David
Text: Psalms 17:3-6.
INTRODUCTION: The religion of Jesus Christ is principally a communication maintained between God and His children, and in the thought of it is something wonderful and striking. When we consider His greatness and glory, our vanity and vileness, we are compelled to ask with David, "Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him...."
But this relationship is a reality. As He visits us, so He allows us to visit Him — and while He addresses us He allows us to address Him.
Strangers to the duty and privilege of this acquaintance with God lose much. To the Christian He is Light in darkness, comfort in affliction, and sanctification in adversity.
Let us observe David's course and his concern respecting it; and learn to pray as he prayed, "Hold up my goings...."
I. First, His Course
A. He speaks of his "goings" in God's path. Christianity does not allow a man to sit still. Under the influence of it one believes, feels, speaks, but all these are vain unless they result in practice.
B. He said, "I will walk in thy truth." To walk is to be active, to advance. It stands for the whole of our conduct. (Col. 2:6; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:15, 16)
C. He speaks of His goings "in God's paths." These are three-fold.
1. The path of His commands. (Psa. 119:10, 35)
2. The path of His ordinances. In a true sense, all the commands of God are His ordinances. However, here we use the term as it applies to the work and worship.
a. Minds alive to the authority of God, can never neglect the worship of God. (Heb. 10:25)
b. True Christians love the company of their brethren, and they value highly the opportunity of meditation and prayer in fellowship with the godly.
c. Further, they value much the privilege of public worship and devotion, in hearing the word of God preached, and in surrounding the table of the Lord.
D. The path of God's divine arrangement. Nothing in the spiritual realm happens by chance. God's plan and arrangement relative to our work and activity must be respected.
1. Plan of salvation. Plan of worship. Plan for financing His work. Plan for His church — its place in the world, its work, its function. God's arrangement in these matters must be respected.
II. His Concern Respecting His Course.
A. He said, "that my footsteps slip not."
1. This is the language of Conviction. David knew the injury that would result from a fall, or even a slip in life.
a. Dishonor God and cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of. David vividly remembered the consequences of his own sin. (2 Sam. 12:14a) He knew that it would hinder one's usefulness. Cf. (2 Peter 2:2)
2. It was the language of Apprehension. He knew his footsteps were prone to slip. No man can think seriously of the power of Satan and be ignorant of this. (1 Cor. 9:27)
a. One cannot say "it will not happen to me," for others far superior to ourselves have fallen.
3. It is the language of Weakness. He knew not only his exposure, but also his weakness.
a. It is when a Christian recognizes his weakness that he becomes strong. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)
b. Year after year had told David that he who trusts in his own heart is a fool, and that he is not wise who trusts in his own strength. Not "thy" grace, but "my" grace is sufficient, said the Lord to Paul.
4. It is the language of Confidence. David hopes in God while he renounces all self-confidence. The one is as necessary as the other.
Conclusion: This Example Of Prayer Could Well Be Emulated By Christians. Exhort To Steadfastness And Constancy In The Faith Once Delivered.
— Box 72, Newbern, Tennessee