Caught In A Trap | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Caught In A Trap | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sandra Eastridge
03/04/10
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“Eek!”

Mama ran. She knew that squeak. Mama had over 100 children but she knew each one’s voice and she was not mistaking this one for sure. Most of her children were grown but this cry was from her youngest, her baby.

She had been fortunate to live so long. Most of her clan was already dead having been killed by the traps. But she had avoided the traps and had taught her children to do so. Hence her family was the longest lived and the largest of their clan.

“What’s the matter little one?” Mama asked.

“Oh Mama, it was awful.”

“What? Tell me.”

“I saw a human! It only had two feet and they were huge. And Mama, the human was so big I couldn’t see the end of it when I looked up. It was the ugliest thing I ever saw. I hope I never see another one.”

Mama held her little one until the shivering stopped. Then she said, “You disobeyed me. No, don’t deny it. If you hadn’t disobeyed you would not have seen the human.”

“But I didn’t go far and I made it back to our hole.”

“It matters not how far you went. I told you not to go at all. Humans are our enemies and you put your life in danger by going where the traps are. The next time you might not be so lucky.”
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How like the little mouse we humans are in our relationship to our Heavenly Father. He instructs us in the way we should go and warns us of the consequences if we disobey.
Yet, many times just like the little mouse – we see that piece of cheese, we smell that tantalizing aroma and we think, “Just a little taste. What can it hurt? I won’t go far.”

God understands the ways of the enemy much better than we do. He knows how easily we are ensnared. How many people do you know living with the heartbreak of, “If only?” In the above illustration Mama Mouse taught her children to stay close to home and thereby avoiding the traps set by the humans. Romans 12:9 tells us to abhor what is evil – in other words, “Stay Away From the Traps.”

God told King Saul to destroy the Amalekites and everything they owned. Yet Saul looked upon the rich plunder and was tempted. He reasoned that surely God did not mean everything should be destroyed – such valuable jewels, fine clothing, fat sheep and cattle. Saul’s heart lusted after the possessions God had commanded him to destroy. Saul deceived himself into thinking that if he sacrificed some of the plunder to God it would justify his disobedience. But God looks on the intent of the heart and not on the outward show of piety. God saw that Saul’s heart had lost its humility and that Saul had become proud and arrogant towards God.

He sent Samuel to Saul with this message: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witch craft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1Samuel 15:22-23.

Mama Mouse wanted her children to stay inside the wall. To leave its shelter meant being in danger of getting caught in a trap. God wants his children to stay close to Him and not walk outside of the safety of his commandments. But if like the little mouse we disobey we have an Advocate that understands our weakness and will plead our case. Even if we go near the traps there is a throne of mercy. We can enter that throne room where forgiveness awaits a sincere and contrite heart.

The Bible warns us to be ever on guard because the devil roams the earth seeking whom he may devour. So be a good little mouse. Otherwise you might venture too close and find yourself shouting, “Eek!” I’ve been caught in Satan’s trap!”

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