Lesson 16: My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.
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O Lord! You who rule! I say with the prophet, if You mark iniquity, who could stand? I, a miserable, great sinner, have, with the full lust of my heart, turned to all folly; to gold, silver, pride, haughtiness, and to strange and forbidden flesh. I have turned my eyes to open idolatry, to wood and stone, and have served them many years, upon high mountains and under green trees, as the prophet said. My idolatry was according to the number of my days. I have bowed my knee before the graven and molten images and said, “Save me, for You are my god.” I sought sight from the blind, life from the dead, and help from those who could not preserve themselves from dust, corruption, thieves and worms. Yes, I have said to a weak, perishable creature that grew out of the earth, was broken in a mill, baked by the fire, chewed with my teeth, and consumed by my stomach, to a mouthful of bread: You have released me.

Israel said to the golden calf, "These be Your gods, O Israel, which brought You up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 22:4). O God! so have I, a miserable sinner, courted the whore of Babylon for many years, for I supposed that she was modest, honest and chaste. I saw her as a queen of righteousness who was glorious, holy and acceptable before Your eyes, for I saw her adorned with purple and scarlet, with gold and precious stones, and pearls, a golden cup in her hand, powerful over all kings upon earth.


Therefore, I did not know she was so very loathsome and polluted. I did not know there was in such a splendid cup so much abomination. I did not know she was such an unblushing, impudent whore and murderess. I did not know she deceived the world, persecuted the chosen, and drank the blood of the saints. But now I have seen her abominations and I quake because I left You, the living Well, so long, and comforted myself with useless pools which can give no water. I gave Your honor to images and other creatures. I worshipped the creature more than the Creator who is blessed forever. This happened, in part, through the deceitfulness of my eyes because I was bewitched in my heart by the goodly appearance of the woman. But now, dear Lord, my eyes are constantly directed to You until You hear me. They are directed to Your mercy seat until I obtain grace and mercy from You, for You alone are He who can help me in the time of my temptation and pluck my feet out of the net of sin.