The Blanket the Rock and the Snare
by Ron Scurfield
Love is like a blanket, warm and reassuring. We rest peacefully under its covering during the dark hours of the night and feel safe. Love protects us from danger (1 Corinthians 13:7), especially when that love comes from God. But we can choose to live under that protection, or not. It’s our choice. Psalm 91:4 tells us He covers us with His feathers. Does this not sound like a soft, cosy blanket? So, let’s pull up our blanket of love right over us as we rest peacefully under the warmth of His presence. There we are safe.
Truth is like a rock. ‘In the beginning was the Word … and the Word was God’ (John 1:1). This is the eternal Word of truth that holds everything together. Then the Word took on flesh and truth became a man. ‘I am ... the truth’ (John 14:6). He is sound and secure; strong and dependable, like a rock. ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge’ (Psalm 18:2). He is the embodiment of truth, and as such He cannot lie.
Jesus said, ‘You will know the truth and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32). Truth pierces the fog of deception in our lives and clears the way to freedom. Truth is the foundation upon which we can build our future, and the Rock of Jesus Christ, the living truth, is the One who sets us free.
Sin is a snare. It lies hidden in the darkness ready to trap its unsuspecting prey; to choke anyone who would stray away from the path. Walking in sin is like walking without a compass. We can so easily get lost and be unsure of the right way to go. But we push on, bumbling and stumbling over the stony ground, our eyes dimmed in the confusion, not knowing where we’re heading, and it’s only a matter of time before we fall into the trap. The snare of sin closes around us, and we’re caught.
Only the blood of Jesus Christ can set us free from the shackles of sin. ‘For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence’ (Psalm 91:3). He is the deliverer and opens up the way again for us to walk with Him in the peace of His presence.
The truth is this: ‘that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:38-39).
By this assurance of His love and the power of truth we can be released from the darkness of sin and brought out into the light of life.
In Jesus the trap has been sprung and the noose is loosed.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You have provided everything I need for life and godliness. Please forgive me for the times I have strayed from Your path and stumbled into the snare of sin. You have provided a way of escape by the truth of Your word and the blood of Your cross. Let me not take this lightly but receive it with gratitude and humility. You care so much for me. Thank You, Jesus, Amen.
Ron Scurfield with his wife Jill, are part of the Associate Ministry Team at Ellel Grange and occasionally Ellel Scotland. Ron enjoys walking and writing and meeting interesting people, but his greatest joy is seeing God transform lives, setting people free to live the abundant life that Jesus intended.
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