Sunset Park, like a lot of neighborhoods in NYC, has a very large feral cat population. Sometimes, when I let the dogs out in the backyard, I will observe two or three stray cats spying from the distance. The cats are usually positioned on a fence, a ledge, or the rooftop of a neighbors shack. What I find amusing is that the dogs are completely unaware that they are being watched. Compared to cats, dogs can be awfully simple!
Proverbs Chapter Seven is a warning to the simple man. The message is that you don’t have to look for trouble; it’s already looking for you. A sloppy spiritual life can be fatal. In his commentary, Matthew Henry say, “We ought daily to pray that we may be kept from running into temptation, else we invite the enemies of our souls to spread snares for us. Ever avoid the neighbourhood of vice.”
How foolish to think we can keep our own selves from deadly passions and snares! Yet, where can we turn when our hearts start to desire what we know God has rejected? What can we do when the attraction of sin begins to captivate our thought life? What do we do when the power of sin starts to sap our strength?
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
Bless God today that our security is not based on our savvy or strength! Rather, it is based upon the righteousness of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!”
Psalms 61:3
Christina, what a simple way to put such a great advice, such a great truth.
I will use this example in my conversation today with my children.
Thank you.
Oh I love this! And the feral cats to boot! We actually have adopted a stray cat now that would not stop lurking on our porch – “Her” name is Spurgeon – I am really a dog lover though – we just can’t have them anymore because we travel for work.
“Bless God today that our security is not based on our savvy or strength! Rather, it is based upon the righteousness of our Savior, Jesus Christ! ”
Amen and Amen! I find that when I’m in the thick of the battle for Truth as we have been in recent years, we are strong, we are united, we are ready for the battle. But I fret about the peaceful good days that lie ahead for us now – that’s when the devil, complacency step in and I can easily slideback into the old ways.
Thank you for the encouragement in this today!
Blessings dear sister!
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Great word! God is a strong tower!
Good stuff Christina!