“Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.” Psalm 119.61
Often in this psalm, we’re reminded of the poet’s struggles in the world. We’ve already read about the wicked holding him in derision (51). Here the opposition is enhanced. He feels ensnared, trapped, bound up by the wicked. If you think over your life, I’m sure there are times you’ve felt this way. You may even feel trapped as you read this, like the evil of the world has left you no path of escape.
Take heart! Even when we feel as though the world has surrounded us, that there is no way to escape the snare, we have a protector. We serve a God who will guide us through. He has not allowed any temptation, any trial, to befall us that he won’t bear us through (1 Corinthians 10.13).
May we instead be like the psalmist. Though he feels trapped, he’s resolved to remember the Word of God, not to abandon the faith or give up on following the path of righteousness. The world is relentless in its attacks, in trying to trap him and get him off of the faithful path. Still, he is committed to follow God, to walk in his ways. Oh that we would share that commitment!
In what ways are you feeling trapped by the world? Tempted to abandon the path of righteousness? Renew your resolve to God and to remembering his Word, to faithfully seeking after him.
Gracious Lord, you have called us out of the darkness of the world into your marvelous light. May we ever remember that truth. When the enemies of the world surround us, may we eagerly seek you, our great shield and defender. Amen.