07.08.04

The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. - Psalm 9:15-16.

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. - Proverbs 5:21-23.

Technology it appears is quite literally catching up with some people. In an effort to gain more revenues cities are resorting to an automated system of photographing vehicles, which run through red lights. This system has caught many traffic offenders and recently something new. In Southern California, a vehicle was photographed running through a red light and a ticket for $341 was sent to the registered owner of the car. However, the owner of the car is challenging the ticket because the photograph shows that he was not driving. His wife’s secret lover was driving the vehicle and she was caught undeniably on the film with the other man. The husband is now getting a divorce.

You have to wonder how long the affair had been going on and whether the woman had intentions of telling her husband and divorcing him? You have to wonder if the husband had any clue as to what was happening or if the photograph of his wife with another man was a complete surprise? You have to wonder if the red light photograph was an act of judgment on the part of the Lord? As the Psalmist says, “The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.” The situation does, however, serve as a warning that what we think is secret and will never be known may be uncovered. It serves as a warning that we can be caught up in our sin to the extent that the damage cannot be repaired.

With these verses from Psalms and Proverbs, we see that sin is not an inactive player. Sin is a hunter like a wild animal. Sin is always lurking, looking for an opportunity to pounce and destroy another life. As the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it (Genesis 4:6-7).” Sin has a desire for you.

There are actually two hunters seeking to catch you. The one we want to blame most often is the devil and he is described as a wild beast by the apostle Peter who says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).” We also know from the Lord in John 10:10a that the devil’s intentions are always the worst. The devil desires to steal life from you, destroy life you have, and if there is any life left, he wants to kill it. The second hunter is more insidious than even the devil. James describes this hunter in James 1:14-15, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Your own flesh, your own desires is the second hunter seeking to catch and devour you.

We know we are being hunted so how can we escape being caught? Peter says about the devil, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith… (1 Peter 5:9a).” In Proverbs we are told, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught (Proverbs 3:25-26).” We must be “steadfast in the faith” and we must allow the Lord to be our “confidence”. This means we must avail ourselves of the resources of God available through Jesus (Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:19). Put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14), take up the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), and “fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).”