He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psalm 91:1-3
The other day I was evaluating a new Bible software application. The individual showing me the product just happened to have the referenced scripture open and I began to read. As I reviewed the Word, I noticed a few pictures in the right margin of the page – they were pictures of different snares. One snare had captured an elephant; another had captured a lion. It was then that the Holy Spirit began to minister to me.
History and the media can provide us with a list of individuals that have been caught or entangled in a scandal. Depending on their popularity, it can really throw us and challenge our confidence. We have seen presidents, royalty, ministers, athletes, school officials and teachers, law enforcement, entertainers… the list goes on of those caught in ungodly activity. The list of offences can often be so despicable it can anger or disgust us. I am sure you (like me) have said or thought “…what were they thinking?” I have sometimes been incredulous and very critical. But before you cast judgment on me, have you not said to yourself, “If I lived during Jesus’ time, I would not have acted like the disciples”? Here is what the Lord showed me.
Have you ever set or seen a mouse trap? If so, I am sure you baited the trap with cheese and put it behind the stove or couch. Then you confidently walked away and waited for the device to do its work. Sure enough, the next day you returned to find a mouse (not a rat, dog, fly or small child) captured – and this is how the enemy works. The trap we discussed was designed for a mouse – not a lion or housefly. The enemy has designed a trap just for you, and you cannot see it!
When you set the mouse trap, did you fear it might catch you? Did you leave it in the middle of the floor and accidentally step on it? No, you put the trap where you knew the mouse would visit. In fact, even if you had forgotten where the trap was and set it off, though it may hurt you for a few minutes, it would not affect you like it did the mouse! How would you have reacted if you came back and found a pit bull in the trap? Or what if you caught a leopard? Of course, you know that you couldn’t because: (1) those animals are too large for that trap and (2) those animals are not walking through your house. In fact, a flea or gnat could have a feast on the bait and never set the trap off because they’re too small. No, that trap was designed specifically for a mouse.
Child of God, the enemy has a trap designed specifically for you!! He knows where you hang out and he knows the areas where you are weak. Those persons caught in scandals where merely caught in the snare that was designed for them. Their offense seems foolish to you because the snare was not designed for you. And again I caution you, there is a snare designed especially for you. By now you may be asking, “is there no hope for me? Am I destined to getting caught in a snare?” I am glad you asked.
The Psalmist tells us how to stay out of the snare – dwell with the Lord. In another Psalm we are reminded, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and are safe” (Psalm 18:10).
If that poor little mouse was accompanied by a human being, what do you think your chances would be of capturing the mouse? The answer is zero; as long as the mouse listens to the human. To that end, if we stay in communion with God, He will not only show us where the snares are, but also free us if we are caught.
The Lord also showed me another truth – if you are caught in a snare, another individual cannot free you; only God can free you. Can another mouse free his friend who has been entrapped? For that matter, can one animal free another one? The answer is no! As the Scripture says, only the Lord can. We can pray for them, we can hurt for them, but only God will be able to free them.
My friends, the next time we hear of someone being overcome or overtaken in sin, let’s not be so quick to castigate them or declare their lack of wisdom or self control. Instead let’s: (1) thank God we were not caught and (2) seek the Lord for an opportunity to restore them in meekness (Galatians 6:1) or introduce them to Christ.
In conclusion, please do not use this as a license to sin. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Shall we continue in sin; that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we who are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Many years ago the Winans sang a popular song with these lyrics. “…it is good to know He’ll be there whenever we fall. It’s better to know we don’t have to fall at all.”
Beware of your snare!