KEEP ME, O LORD.

 

APRIL 8.
 
Keep me, O Lord.
Psalm 140:4

 

THE Lord’s people are taught by
  the Holy Spirit to pray for what they need;
  and they find, in perusing God’s word,
  that he has promised just what they pray for.
 
Every believer prays to be kept.
 
This is one of his daily prayers.
He feels that he needs keeping.
He is weak, his foes are strong.
 
He is inexperienced, and
  his dangers are numerous and great.
 
He cannot proceed safely,
  or comfortably,
    or honourably,
       but as he is kept.
 
He desires to be kept from sin, and
   that he may not dishonour God.
 
From self, 

   that he may not injure those about him.
From Satan, 

   that he may not be overcome by him.
From the world 

   that he may not be ensnared and entangled by it.
 
None can keep him but the Lord.
 
No one else has the power,
  the patience, the wisdom, or the love,
  that is necessary.
 
To God therefore he cries;
  before the throne of grace, he often appears;
  fervently he prays to be kept near to God,
  in holy fellowship;
  active for God in his day and generation;
  and aiming at the glory of God
  as the grand end of his existence.
 
Beloved, we shall need keeping today,
  Satan is now studying us.
 
Our own hearts are false and fickle.
 

Keep me, O Lord, from every sin,

From every dangerous foe;

Preserve my course and conscience clean,

While I remain below.

 
James Smith 1849