Safe From Secret Traps Series

Keep me Safe from Secret Traps

We read in Psalm 91:3, “The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases.” (CEV)

In this study we will meditate on this part of the verse mentioned above, where the Lord assures us that He is able to keep us safe from falling into secret traps. If we were to define ‘traps’ they are positions or situations that are covertly set up with the intention to catch one unawares. These traps which are nets or enclosures, are used by hunters, usually hidden from view and with the motive to catch a bird or an animal. The word of God assures us from Psalm 91:3 that the Lord is able to deliver us from such a snare of the evil one, whose goal is to set a trap to ensnare our souls.

We will explore from the bible as to how we can identify these cunning or subtle traps that the enemy sets up for us, so that we can with God’s help be safe, and not fall prey to them.

The trap that King Saul fell into

We read in 1 Samuel 18:7, “They sang: Saul has killed a thousand enemies; David has killed ten thousand enemies!”(CEV)

As Saul and David were returning home after an astounding victory, the crowds were present to give them a rousing welcome. Saul as the King of Israel and David as a warrior who had won a great victory over the Philistines, came together peaceably. The Psalmist describes it this way in Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (ESV) As these two men entered the town the women came singing and dancing to greet them with these words, ‘Saul killed a thousand and David has killed ten thousands.’ When Saul heard this refrain, he was disturbed and the song bothered him greatly.

It is recorded in 1 Samuel 18:8, And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” (ESV)

Saul was displeased when he heard this song and it also made him very angry. He began to deliberate the thought that now that the people had attributed ten thousands to David, and ascribed only thousands to him that the kingdom too would soon be passed on to David. Saul and David were unified when they came from battle, but a simple song that was sung by the women, proved to be a trap for King Saul and he not being aware of it, got entangled in it. Saul and David could have accomplished much together, and David did not have the vicious thought or desire to secure the throne from King Saul.

Satan will usually set a trap for people when they are living together is unity, just as it happened between Saul and David. There have been many who have been in harmonious friendship for many long years, which was pleasing to those around, and most certainly to the Lord. However, some have fallen into the snare set by the enemy, and their love for each other has been replaced with hatred. These divisions take place in the family, in the church, work place, in the political scenario and the reasons for these are that people are unaware of these pitfalls that Satan has cunningly devised. If we are not wary of these ploys, we will most certainly be caught in them.

Saul was jealous and suspicious of David

We read in 1 Samuel 18:9, “And so he was jealous and suspicious of David from that day on.” (GNB)

From that day onward Saul began to eye David with intense envy and suspicion. After this incident, if we study the life of Saul, the rest of it was spent entirely on him trying to harm or kill David. God had chosen Saul who was an ordinary man to be the King of Israel, but wistfully Saul fell into the trap of hatred and jealousy. He lost his zeal for the Lord and for the kingdom, when his mind was diverted solely towards destroying David.

If we observe any kind of break in relationships, often they are related to jealousy and suspicion. There are many people who like Saul are constantly devising schemes for the downfall of those whom they hate. They will gossip, speaking ill of the one they hate and spread rumors to malign their reputation. We may not like Saul connive to physically kill those we dislike, but if we deliberately plan to slander them, we too have fallen into the trap of the evil one. If a bird or animal is caught in a hunter’s net, they are left to his mercy, and he will choose to do what he wishes to his prey. Many believers too have sadly fallen into this snare of hatred, jealousy, irritation or anger towards others. When this happens, we become tools in the hands of the devil for his wicked schemes, instead of being useful vessels in the hands of the Lord to build His kingdom.