Morning, January 24, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper [fowler, KJV].” — Psalm 91:3

God delivers his people from the snare of the fowler in two senses: from entering, and out of.  First, he delivers them from the snare–does not let them enter it; and secondly, if they should be caught in there, he delivers them out of it. The first promise is the most precious to some; the second is the best to others.

“He shall deliver you from the snare.” How? Trouble is often the means whereby God delivers us. God knows that our backsliding will soon end in our destruction, and he in mercy sends the rod of discipline. We say, “Lord, why is this?” not knowing that our trouble has been the means of delivering us from far greater evil. Many have been therefore saved from ruin by their distresses and their trials; these have frightened the birds from the net. At other times, God keeps his people from the snare of the fowler by giving them great spiritual strength, so that when they are tempted to do evil they say, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

But if the believer shall, in an evil hour, come into the net, what a blessed thing it is that God will bring him out of it! O backslider, be cast down, but do not despair. Though you have been a wanderer, hear what thy Redeemer says–“Return, O backsliding children; I will have mercy upon you.” But you say you cannot return, for you are a captive. Then listen to the promise: “Surely he shall deliver you out of the snare of the fowler.” You shall yet be brought out of all evil into which you have fallen, and though you shall never cease to repent of your ways, yet he that has loved you will not cast you away; he will receive you, and give you joy and gladness, that the bones which he has broken may rejoice. No bird of paradise shall die in the fowler’s net.