THE SNARE IS BROKEN

Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped – Psalm 124:7

“Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler…” (Psa.91:3a). Having experienced God as his Dwelling Place, Refuge, Fortress, and House of Defence, the Psalmist encourages us to do likewise. Yet, his assurance was not based on private wishes, but on God’s promise – “Surely He will…”! What a tone of total conviction and absolute certainty! And then, he compares the promise of deliverance from dangers to freedom from the snare of the fowler. A snare is a noose, hook or hidden trap: “The noose is hidden for him on the ground, and a trap for him in the road” (Job 18:10). The fowler’s snare in particular, is a hidden trap employed in catching or ‘snaring’ birds. What does this mean for the believer?

There are many snares on the believer’s pathway: unseen pitfalls to life in this fallen world; unexpected, deceptive dangers around every corner that we are often unaware of: “…in the way in which I walk, they have secretly set a snare for me” (Psa.142:3). God wants you to soar like the eagle in the spirit of grace and liberty, but Satan wants you to be captured in the snares of sin, deception, corruption, idolatry, foolishness, and worldliness. Satanic snares are laid diversely: “The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me” (Psa.140:5; 141:9).

Whatever may be the nature of Satan’s snares against your soul – traps, cords, nets or gins – God’s promise is to break every snare, dismantle every trap, set your soul free, and cause you to escape. What a comfort it is to know that God perpetually protects us from all snares! Beloved, the snare is broken; your soul is set free. God has promised that the enemies shall sink in the pit that they made, and their feet shall fall into the net they hid (Psa.9:15). This is His Judgement upon every evil snare-setter: “Let their table become a snare before them; and their wellbeing a trap” (Psa.69:22).

David knew that “if it had not been the LORD who was on” his side, he’ll have ended up in Saul’s snares (Psa.124:1). He was immensely grateful to God who had not left him “as prey to their teeth” (v.6). His conclusion: “Our help is in the Name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (v.8). You have no business remaining ensnared in the devil’s domain! The bondage is broken; the snare is shattered. You are no longer a prey. It’s your season of liberty; so, let your soul escape!