The Snare is Broken!

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
    let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
    when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
    when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
    the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
    the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
    who has not given us
    as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
    from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
    and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124

David had known many an enemy and close call. Plotting people, raging armies, discouragement- the snares were varied and threatening. Though he exercised great strategy and skill to evade troops and trouble, he knew that it was the Lord who was his shield and deliverer. Man’s efforts were useless without the power of the Lord.

Unavoidably, we face storms and pressures in our day to day and seasons of life, and in the flesh we naturally engage energy and acumen to confront them. We prepare, scheme, defend or attack, and perhaps we win small battles and outsmart enemy wiles or overcome particular troubles. But the enemy of our souls will not relent, and only Jesus achieved and offers forever escape from impossible bondage. (1 Peter 5:8)

If He were not on our side, we would remain in our sin, doomed to everlasting separation from Him. If He were not on our side, the trials of this life would drown us. If He were not on our side, we would have no defense against temptation, doubt, shame, despair. If He were not on our side, we would be captive prey, forever hunted, never free. Blessed be the Lord who has saved us!

What snares presently hold us struggling and feeling helpless? Are we hunted by past failures, haunted by regret, despondent about unfulfilled dreams? What challenges at work, in relationships, with health or finances, seem unceasing and impossible to remedy? The Lord is on our side! Our captivity has been claimed and conquered by Christ! (Romans 8:31-39)

“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!” ~Charles Wesley (1738)

In every angry flood, every tempest of temper or trouble, every attack to heart, mind, or body, would we summon and bless the Lord, our Help and Deliverer?

“O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Gracious Savior of my ruined life
My guilt and cross laid on Your shoulders
In my place You suffered bled and died
You rose, the grave and death are conquered
You broke my bonds of sin and shame
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
May all my days bring glory to Your Name.” ~Nathan Stiff (2017)

Father, free from sin that so easily entangles, help me run with perseverance the race You’ve assigned, to Your victory and glory. (Hebrews 12:1-3)