“All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose.” (Proverbs 7:22 NIV)
People fall into traps of their own making all of the time. The choices they make, the actions they do are destructive to their very lives, yet they have no idea. They willingly follow to their slaughter, completely unaware of what is about to happen. Parents watch their children make poor decisions. Spouses suffer the consequences of their partners. Friends watch friends snare themselves in traps. As hard as you try to tell them, they won’t listen. They are bound and determined to do what they want to do. And in the end, it leads to death. Death of a dream, death of a marriage, death of a friendship. And sometimes, we’re the ox. Sometimes, we’re the ones who are following a destructive path, stepping into a noose, falling into a trap. The only way to avoid a trap is to keep the Son in your eyes.
The only way to avoid a trap is to keep the Son in your eyes.
I don’t know any other way to avoid traps than with Jesus. But what does it mean to keep the Son in your eyes practically? First, don’t follow people blindly, seek the counsel of wise people. Solomon tells us if we seek the advice of wise people and accept discipline, we’ll be among the wise (Proverbs 19:20 NIV). Not only do we have to seek wise counsel, we also have to accept the discipline that comes with it. Discipline such as not putting ourselves in tempting situations, not following known troublemakers, listening to what our wise counselors tell us. And we have to trust God.
Not only do we have to trust God to keep us out of traps, we have to trust Him to keep the ones we love out of their traps. We can do that by praying for them, talking to them, and loving them, no matter what. God will help us stay out of traps, and He’ll help our loved ones stay out of theirs. But it may not be the way we think it should be. Sometimes, God does allow the trap to close because He knows, it’s the only way to teach us a lesson. Whatever trap you or someone you love is facing today, keep your eyes solidly focused on the Son. Let Him be the One to lead you to safety.
Question of the day:
What trap do you need God’s help with today?
Further Reading: Exodus 21:22-23:13 NIV, Matthew 24:1-28 NIV, Psalm 29:1-11 NIV, Proverbs 7:6-23 NIV
