SNARED

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

Proverbs 29:6

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:21-26

These words from the 3rd Chapter of Proverbs offer us important counsel when it comes to the way we are to live life, life that offers us two options: (1) living in righteousness or (2) living in wickedness.

How can you know what life you are living? The scripture from Proverbs 3 tells us.

If you never let wisdom, understanding, sound judgment, and discretion out of your sight, things we only gain through a relationship with the Lord and a commitment to His word and way, then you will live in righteousness and have life to the full (John 10:9-10). You will walk in safety, rescued from the attacks of evil, and your foot will not stumble into sin for the Lord’s way will never lead us there. There is no need to be afraid because we have a peace in the Lord that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7), a peace that leads us to rest and comfort and serenity.

Conversely, choose sin and wickedness instead of righteousness and you will find yourself ensnared by it, trapped and facing sudden disaster which will result in ruin. The Lord will not stand by idly while His people choose to be evildoers, disobedient and insubordinate toward Him in every way. He will take action and there is no worst place to be than to be under His judgment and wrath but that’s exactly where you’ll be if you opt for living wickedly.

So the questions our scriptures from Proverbs ask today are simply this: Are you snared in sin? Have you chosen transgression over confession? Indiscretion over uprightness?

If so, you will be giving up joy and gladness reserved for those who choose the Lord’s will and way over the world’s offerings. Trapped in sin, you will suffer under its oppressiveness and the consequences that come from living immorally in impiety.

Who would ever want to live this way?

Only those who are unwise and foolish. Follow the Lord, making His ways your ways and allowing Him to unsnare you, and you’ll ensure you aren’t counted in that number as you live in the kind of freedom and liberation that comes from knowing you have a Savior who has loved you enough to rescue you from sin and wickedness and bring you to life, not just in the here and now but forever more.  

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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