Morning By Morning #24

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare.

Psalm 91:3

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

God saves His people from “the fowler’s snare” in two ways: “from” and “out of.” First, He will often deliver them “from” the snare by not letting them enter it. Second, if they do get snared He delivers them “out of” it. Some people consider the first way more precious, while others cling to the second.

“He will save you from the fowler’s snare.” How? Trouble is often the means through which God delivers us. He knows our backsliding will ultimately end in our destruction, so in His mercy He sends His rod of correction. Then we ask, “Lord, why have you done this?” not even realizing our trouble has been His very means of delivering us from far greater evil. In this way many have been saved from ruin through their sorrows and the crosses they bear. These “birds” have been frightened “from” the fowler’s net. At other times God keeps His people “from” the “fowler’s snare” by giving them great spiritual strength. Then when they are tempted to do evil they say, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).

Yet what a blessed thought that when a believer does fall in an evil moment into the “fowler’s snare,” God will rescue him from it! O backslider, grieve—but don’t despair. Although you have wandered from the truth, listen to what your Redeemer says, “‘Turn, O backsliding children’ (Jer. 3:14 KJV). I will have mercy on you.” Do you respond, however, with, “I can’t return. I’m a captive!” Then listen again to His promise: “Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare.” Ultimately you will “surely” be saved “out of” all the evil into which you have fallen, and although you will never cease from needing to repent from sins you commit, He who has loved you will never cast you aside. He will receive you, giving you joy and delight, so that even the very bones He has broken may rejoice.

No bird of paradise will ever die in the “fowler’s snare.”

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Consider for a moment the families you know. Think of the parents whose children are well disciplined, and then think of the parents who are lax in their discipline—those who are attempting to be more of a friend to their children than a parent. Which do you consider the better parents? Whose children would you rather be around? Of course, the answer is obvious. In the same way, our gracious Father is also our gracious Parent who disciplines us out of His great sense of love and care. What a joy to know that our loving God uses even the troubles produced by His rod of correction as a means of deliverance!

God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrews 12:10-13

Dear Lord, thank You for the fact that even when I stumble and fall, needing correction, Your love is everlasting—and Your “rod of correction imparts wisdom” (Prov. 29:15).