The letter from Hezekiah's enemy drave him to God; whilst that from the flattering king ensnared his feet. (2 Kings 19; 20) Some Temptations are best withstood by fleeing from them. We should distinguish between a dead state of soul and a tempted state. Job, in his trouble, was in a tempted state: he says in his sorrow, "Oh that I were as in months past" (Job 29:2). David was in a dead state of soul when he rose from his bed to walk upon the house-top. (2 Sam. 11:2.) Job felt his temptation: David was not awake to danger. The devil is often like the practised sharper, who allows his dupes a little success that he may strip them of their all at the last. Thus can Satan suffer his slaves to break off grosser sins, that he may hold them fast bound in the chains of self-righteousness and false peace. If through confidence in the flesh we take not counsel of God, He is wont to leave us to ourselves, that we may prove our wisdom to be folly. Had Joshua sought counsel of God, he would not have been deceived by the Gibeonites, and their tokens of a long journey. (Josh. 9) The evil of the heart is best revealed to God's people by their abiding at the Mercy-seat: if they will not learn there, God may leave them to learn by some gross outbreak. Paul exercised himself to keep always a conscience void of offence, and by constant communion with God well-knew the deceitfulness of the flesh. If we are found mourning within the vail over inward evil, we shall be preserved from outwardly dishonouring the Lord. No child of God ever falls at once into the mire of sin. All declension begins in unwatchfulness and neglect of secret dealing with God, whereby Satan finds a door of entrance into the heart, and we are taken in his snares. Prayer A child knocks at the father's door with boldness and perseverance, and, knowing the rights of a child, takes no denial. Thus should it be with the children of God, who, through Christ's atonement, have liberty of access to the Father. Every child of God prays, but not all know what it is to _labour_ in prayer. (Col. 4:12.) Much prayer for the ungodly is a sign of a thriving soul. Christ prayed for His enemies, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Paul prayed for the Jews; his "heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel was, that they might be saved" (Rom. 10:1). God's precepts (not His decrees) are the rule for our prayers. He would have us pray for all men. (1 Tim. 2:1.) To be sustained in faith under long delay of the answer to prayer, is itself an answer to prayer beyond price. (Matt. 15:22-28.) When we cannot pray at all, then is it high time to pray. We honour God by fighting with inward difficulties, and show our faith in the intercession of the Lord Jesus by bringing our coldness of spirit to the great High Priest.