“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler” (Psalm 91.3.)
Introduction. This verse speaks of the arch-enemy of souls, the great deceiver, Satan. Five hundred years ago, he put men to death for serving Christ. Now he is well-spoken; he attempts to persuade and beguile. He would link worldliness with religion, and thus make religion void. Whatever his tactics are, his object is to catch men in the net. If Satan does not attack as a roaring lion, he attacks by creeping up to bite our heel. He would weaken our grace and ruin our godliness with his poison.
(1) The Snare of the Fowler Explained. The fowler uses secrecy; he covers his trap, or beguiles the bird into an uncovered one. The wicked man dashes into the net even when destruction stares him in the face. The Christian is taken by secrecy. If the devil comes with his horns visible, I will never let him in; but if he comes with his hat on as a respectable gentleman, he is admitted at once. The first drop of sin admits a torrent. Then there is a fearful end. Some unconverted men can indulge in gayeties without being led into sin; but the Christian cannot go there without ruining his piety. The fowler adapts his snare to the kind of bird he is after. Drink will work for one, lust for another. We might not be tempted to pride of riches, but we might be apt to boast of our kindness, which is the trap of pride in a different shape. The fowler adapts his snare to your pleasures. Your fairest pleasures will harbor your grossest sins. Cleopatra’s asp was introduced in a basket of flowers. Job was more careful of his sons when they were feasting. Let us be the same. Satan uses decoys. He chooses someone you respect. By the force of that example, you are led and snared. Choose the best friends you can; then follow them no further than they follow Christ. The fowler will go hawking. If he can’t get you to sin, he will send a hawk to bring you down. Keep above this hawk. If any slander you, do not come down to them. If you prosecute slander, it will be more believed than if you left it alone. The more dirt thrown on your character, the more it will glisten in the end. All the fowler’s arts may be at us at once. Let us gird ourselves in God’s omnipotence, and the Holy Spirit will keep us.
(2) Deliverance from the Snare. Deliverance is often through trouble. We have often painted a fine picture, and have been walking backwards to destruction admiring it. Then sad providence takes our child away or buries our wife. If not for trouble, we had been destroyed. Many of you have been delivered from the snare by sorrows, woes, losses, and crosses. Courage is another means of deliverance. O! that was a noble escape made by Joseph when the mistress laid hold of his garment. Timing may be another means. By the Spirit’s influence, what you might have been snared with last week is not worth a moment’s thought today. God delivers his people even after they are caught. We know something about being caught in the cage. O backslider, be cast down, but do not despair; God says, “Return, O backsliding children; I will have mercy on you.” Then he promises, “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler.”
(3) Deliverance is Certain. Scripture is precious because it is sure. What God has said he will do will be done. Christ has sworn that his sheep will be saved. The Holy Spirit vouches for it. If even one of them were to perish, the covenant would be void, and the Bible would be false.
Selection from Conclusion. “If you are self-righteous, self-sufficient, ungodly, careless, worldly, there is no such promise for you; you are in the snare…and you shall perish, unless you repent.”
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