0358. THE BROKEN SNARE.

THE BROKEN SNARE.

"Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we are escaped" (Psa_124:7).

This was very literally fulfilled in the experience of the children of Israel when they escaped out of Egypt, out of the snares of Pharaoh. The snare was broken when the hosts of Pharaoh were overwhelmed in the Red Sea, and also when they escaped from their captivity in Babylon. The antitype of this is found in those who have escaped like birds from the snare of that old fowler the devil, and from the bondage of a soul-ensnaring love.

I. The Fowlers. "Out of the snare of the fowlers." The devil has many snares, and he takes good care to keep them as far as possible out of sight. The fowler has no intention of feeding the bird when he fixes the tempting bait in the snare. His aim is to catch. The devil and all his angels, both human and diabolical, are ever busy plying their cunning and enslaving traffic, seeking to catch souls. These fowlers are wise enough to consider the habits and desires of all those they wish to entrap.

II. The Snare. What may be the snare that catches and holds one may not be the snare that holds another; but every unsaved sinner is snared by the power of sin in one form or another. Love of the world is a snare into which many fall. The "fear of man" also hinders multitudes from enjoying the liberty of the free. The "lust of the flesh" and the "pride of life" are snares that grip as firmly as fetters of iron.

III. The Captive. "Our soul." Not only our life, but our very spirit has been caught in the snare-coils of iniquity. The snared bird has lost the power of flight, so with the soul snared with sin, it cannot rise up into the pure atmosphere of Heaven’s love and fellowship. A soul, made in the image of God, to company with Him and rejoice in all the privileges of Sonship, "free to roam the Heavens o’er," snared, caught, and led captive by the devil at his will. Alas! a willing captive.

IV. The Breaking of the Snare. "The snare is broken." Yes, thank God, every snare may be broken. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, and to give deliverance to the captives. One believing look at the crucified One will instantly break the soul-binding spell of sin. When sin has lost its attractive power the snare is broken, and the soul may escape. "Behold, I have set before you an open door." Escape for your life.

V. The Escape. "Our soul is escaped as a bird." How instantly the liberated bird turns its back on the fowlers and their snares when a way of escape is offered. It would sing as it soars a new song (Exo_15:1). A man said, who had lost a lark, "The next time I get it I will clip its wings," but he did not get it. Every back-comer is sure to get his wings clipped. Our soul has escaped the condemnation of the devil through the snare-breaking power of the blood of the Lamb. Hallelujah!

Autor: James Smith