This was the prayer of the man after God's own heart. Did holy David need to pray like this? How much more, then, must we spiritual infants need this prayer! It's as if he's crying out, "Hold me back, Lord, or I'll throw myself right over the cliff!"
Our evil nature is like a wild horse, ready to bolt. May God's grace be the bridle that holds it back before it charges into disaster. What wouldn't the best of us do if God didn't put up barriers in our path, both in his providence and in his grace?
Notice what David prays against: the worst kind of sin. Not the sins of weakness, but the sins of willfulness. Deliberate rebellion. Even the holiest saints need to be held back from the vilest sins.
Isn't it sobering to find the apostle Paul warning believers against the most disgusting transgressions? "Therefore put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." What! Do saints need warnings against sins like these? Yes, they do. The whitest robe, unless kept pure by divine grace, can still be stained by the blackest filth.
Experienced Christian, don't trust in your maturity. You will stumble the moment you take your eyes off the One who keeps you from falling. You whose love burns hot, whose faith stands firm, whose hope shines bright—never say, "I will never fall into that sin." Instead cry out, "Lead me not into temptation!"
There is enough kindling in the best person's heart to start a fire that could burn all the way to hell itself, unless God snuffs out each spark as it falls. Who would have imagined that righteous Lot would end up drunk and committing sexual sin? When Hazael heard the prophet's prediction, he protested, "Is your servant a dog, that he should do such a thing?" And we are so quick to ask the same self-righteous question.
May infinite wisdom cure us of the madness of self-confidence.
Closing Prayer
Before you face today, pray David's prayer. Not because you're weak, but because you're wise enough to know what you're capable of without God's hand holding you back.