Psalm 116:3-4, RSV
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. [4] Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I beseech thee, save my life!”
Beloved,
As we rightly unpacked last time, it’s not every gift that is good or from God. We have to be aware of the snares that are designed to entrap us. There are several kind of snares we must be aware of. One of them is the snares of men.
In Psalm 140, the Psalmist David describes the violent things men can plot against a person just out of pure jealousy or because of a simple disagreement. People can pretend to be your friend. They can pretend to really like you, just as King Saul pretended like David and all the while, their heart is set to bring you down.
Men secretly hating you is one example. Another one I want to point out is that there are men who don’t necessarily hate you, but they don’t care about you or your destiny. All that matters to such men is themselves. When you try to help such men, you are doing so to your own detriment. See what Gideon learned eventually:
“But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.” -Judges 8:23-24 NKJV
“Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.”
Judges 8:27 NKJV
See how his good intentions towards men harmed him in the long run?
In each of these kinds of cases, most of the time, it takes the hand of God to save one from such snares of men. David learned eventually:
“Like rocks brought up by a plow, the bones of the wicked will lie scattered without burial. I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord. You are my refuge; don’t let them kill me.” -Psalms 141:7-8 NLT
May you never fall into the trap of men in Jesus mighty name. Per adventure you do, may the hand of God be quick to save you and may you take His hand on time. I pray, too, that you will forever find refuge and help in Christ Jesus. He is the One you can depend on. Woe unto you if you decide that all of your help must come from a man. May you have the revelation of the limitations of men in your life in Jesus mighty name.
I commit you to God and to the word of His grace.
I call you NATIONS. I call you blessed.
P.S. – I want to formally invite you to our annual Night of Colors on 22th December, 2022. Our theme this year is CHRIST REVEALED! You don’t want to miss it! Get your mind ready! More details to come
