SPIRITUAL ESCAPEES
Jack Davis
“Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 124:6-8
There are multiplied snares set for our triune being, that would be used by our adversary to keep us from the ultimate purpose of our deliverance (Salvation to the uttermost). Oh yes,, there are many chains and bonds intended to hold us captive from the glorious liberty of God’s people. Praise God, the Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed, and promised to break every chain and give us the victory again and again. Snares are still being broken for God’s people today and we are escaping.
“If it had not been the LORD was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul” – Vs. 2-5.
“The Lord was on our side.” How did they know? How do we know He is on our side? Of course we know because the Bible tells us so, but also by experiencing the protection provided, and the blessings bestowed. It is often in the most trying experiences that we really prove it.
“When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
What a promise! What assurance! How marvelous, He is able to keep us from the fire and in it. He can bring us through, and He will bring us out. In the midst of the trial, the fire can be used to burn off the bands (Daniel 3:23-24) and also to purify the gold (Job 23:10). He is providing now that the trial of our faith be found unto His praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:7). We read in I Cor. 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Sometimes we insist on a quick escape, and miss some of the benefit for which the trial was allowed.
Full overcomers are not necessarily always escapist. We read in Hebrews 11:34, that some escaped the edge of the sword, and others out of weakness were made strong. Yet there is so many times that we would like to fly away. There certainly are times that some of us have to experience discomfort before we ever desire to get out of our rut. It seems that at times He has to let things close in on us before He can shake us out. I am reminded of Israel in Egypt.
“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” Psalm 55:6
Wings symbolize to me the God given ability to rise and reign, to be more than conquerors. These things are provided for all of God’s children, but how many of us use them? Oh yes there is a “windy storm and tempest coming.” Thank God for the escape He has so wonderfully provided.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10
