Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence…
Psalm 91:3
The Lord Will Save Us – Psalm 91:3
Written By Dean Marini
We recently had a problem with a groundhog that had begun to burrow into an area where our business had sensitive underground cables. We did not want the animal to get hurt, nor could we risk letting it dig around and chew through wires, so we called animal control in the hopes that they could do a quick capture and release. A win win.
A control specialist eventually came and placed several live traps in areas we knew the groundhog was hiding out. After several days, the traps were still empty. He made a decision to place fruit inside the trap … a tempting treat indeed. The next morning, right on cue, our furry friend was waiting for his trip to a much greener pasture. All it took was the right bait.
Psalm 91:3
Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
The verse from Psalm 91, “Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence,”reminds us that there is someone out there trying to trap us as well … only this “someone” has no intention of relocating us to greener pasture. As followers of Christ, we must stay aware and alert that the devil prowls around looking for those he can deceive. 1 Peter 5:8 reports, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Much like with the groundhog, the devil watches how we move, where we go and what we do, and he learns from this behavior the best ways to ensnare us. A few months ago I was reminded how susceptible we can be to these traps — our greatest temptations. Like the groundhog we, too, have certain kinds of “bait” we find irresistible. Ironically, the desires of the flesh God delivered us from are usually the very behaviors the enemy uses to pull us backwards again. These habits, try as we may, are impossible to overcome in our willpower and strength. We need God.
The Psalmist assures us that God will save us from the snare of the enemy, writing: “He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemy” (Ps 23:5). In addition, 1 Corinthians promises that “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it” (10:13). So while the devil may be prowling about, our Good Shepherd is busy protecting His flock.
In an earlier article, I wrote about how we are not without responsibility in our efforts combatting evil. Yes we have a Good Shepherd, but we have to do our part — we must be good sheep — trusting and following Jesus and Jesus alone. Our Lord said to His apostle, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them from My hand … (Jn 10:27-28). What is the catch? We must listen to His voice and follow Him. It is then that no one will be able to snatch us from His hand.
Reflection
If you have been waiting on God to “rescue” you, and if you are growing weary in waiting for Him, the Apostle Paul gives us a helpful tip for tuning into the Shepherds voice. Romans 12:2 reports, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.” The Lord desires nothing more than to make you a new creature in Him by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Where do we begin? By putting on the full armor of God” (Eph 6:11-18). The full armor of God is a powerful weapon in defeating the enemy, conquering strongholds in our lives and overcoming the daily battles.
So whenever you find yourself being tempted, when the enemy is prowling around waiting for you to take the bait, meditate on these Scriptural passages and humbly pray to hear the voice of your Shepherd. Above all, remind yourself “dear children, [that you] are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4).
Written by Dean Marini
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