Be Careful When You Set Traps!

"The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever." Psalm 9:15-18

Can you imagine setting up a trap to catch some sort of pesky rodent and then stepping in it yourself?? This is what happens to "the nations" or the wicked. Our God turns the devices of the wicked back on them. The very traps that they set are the things that will ensnare them and lead to their demise. God protects His people, the needy and the poor, by defeating the wicked and He does so with their very own devices. How wonderfully ironic is that!

The needy and poor in our society tend to be pushed aside. During election year, you'll see them all over the place and those few high office hopefuls are out shaking their hands and spouting out promises. But much of the time, they still fall to the bottom of the heap and do not get the REAL help that they need. Politicians try to cover them up or appease them with a little money here and there but the real problem will not be helped in that way.

True believers in Christ are like these needy and poor who will not find their answers or help in fellow men. The only help that can be given is through Christ and this is certainly one of the great promises of the bible... "For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever." Psalm 9:18 Praise God! This reminds me of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:

2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

⁷"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

⁸"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

⁹"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

¹⁰"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.