Entrapped

A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare holds him fast.

~Job 18:9

Tonight my husband and I sat on the back patio with our dinner, just the two of us. Two girls are at cheerleading camp, one at her fathers, one at the pool and the other upstairs asleep exhausted from today's sun from being at the pool earlier. As we were enjoying this beautiful summer evening, my husband noticed that a bird was trapped in the neighbors new chimney cover they had placed yesterday. I could only watch for a few seconds as the bird worked to break through without success. It was so sad and my heart broke for this little creature. By the time we had finished eating, the bird had finished trying...at least for the moment. My husband question why the bird had not tried to escape when the neighbors boys were putting this covering on. I can only imagine she has a nest in there and she was doing what God created her to do.

I keep thinking of this bird. The neighbors are gone. I hinted for my husband to go over and release the bird. Of course this would not be an easy task climbing upon her roof. Most likely if there is a nest, the bird wouldn't leave anyway. It may be too exhausted to fly at this point. It made me think of life. How many things ensnare us, prevent us from living in the truth we were created to live in. How many sins dominate our lives until we are encaged, too exhausted to care or fight.

Psalm 31:4 Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.

I am so thankful my God can free me of the traps I find myself in. I am grateful He is not afraid of heights and that nothing can keep Him from me.

Psalm 141:9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers.

No matter what satan throws my way, God can and will protect me. I am called to walk in faith and to trust Him in this.

Luke 21:34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap."

If I keep focused on Him, I will not be tempted to become trapped by what the world has to offer. If I turn my focus to Him when in my weakness I fall into a trap, I will see see the way out. It is called grace. It's called love.

Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

Loving and seeking God will keep me pure and only then will God use me to help keep others from falling into the snares and traps of satan and this world. My testimony can speak volumes of God's grace, love, and forgiveness.

1 Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

As I asked the youth Sunday school class yesterday, "When you walk outside the church doors, what does your life say about your testimony for God? How are you living out Jesus in your life?" If we do not live consciously aware of our testimony, how easy it will be for us to be entrapped over and over again because our focus is not on God but ourself.

2 Timothy 2:26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Is something entrapping you today from being fully what God has created you to be? Is something clouding your vision of God's plan for your life? Is there a cage holding you in, confined to satans lies and this world? Come to your senses! Call on the One that is all powerful and He will rescue you and save you from death.

Father, there have been plenty of times when I have been like this dear sweet bird, entrapped because I thought I was were I was suppose to be. Father, many times I have tried to do it on my own and tried to free myself from the messes I have made with out success. Many times I have given up exhausted.

I praise you for the many times you have been there to lift the cage and rescue me. I thank you for the protection, grace, and guidance you now give me as I walk this life of faith, seeking to honor you. Father, keep me from being this bird...encaged to sin. I choose to live in your freedom. I choose to live in Your graces~Pamela