The Web...

As I sat in the gazebo on the back deck this morning I noticed it – the web. It was an amazing structure, so intricately and perfectly spun. It had been painstakingly spun for one purpose, one purpose only – to trap the unsuspecting prey. And there in the middle of the web sat the master spinner, not moving. The trap had been set, now all that was needed was to wait. For you see the web was nearly invisible and surely an intended victim would be caught. Once caught the prey would be wrapped tighter and tighter in a cocoon of silk. There would be no escape.

This made me think of another master spinner, one who painstakingly weaves and spins his web of lies and deceit. He also carefully sets his net and waits for the intended prey to be trapped. His goal is to steal, kill and destroy.

How does he spin his web? Depending on the intended victim he spins different types of threads. One type is the temptation to sin, “it’s okay; it’s no big deal; no one is watching; it’s not really wrong; everyone is doing it” etc., etc., and once the sin is given into then he spins thoughts of guilt and condemnation leading to despair and the victim is wrapped tighter and tighter.

Other threads of deadly silk he spins are thoughts of discouragement, “you’re a failure; is this all you have to show for your life; things will never get better; nobody wants you; you’re alone and nobody cares; things will never change” etc., etc… and on and on. He will take advantage of any circumstance to set his trap. He’ll spin and spin and then wait patiently ready to pounce and wrap the prey in a cocoon of hopelessness and despondency.

But, as I looked at that web this morning, I noticed something else – a ray of sunshine that poured over a part of it. Ahhh… Where the sun shone on it, the web was clearly visible, the shining silk strands shouting “It’s a trap!!!! Fly Away!!!” And there my friends is the Goodness of God! Yes the Lord surely surrounds us with songs of deliverance (Ps 32:7). “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). If you are at the point that you think your heart will break because of the onslaught of thoughts that constantly bombard your mind; if you are longing for just one friend or loved one to whom you can pour out your innermost thoughts; if you have been losing hope, and sight of your dreams then there is only one place to go, the best place to go – to the One who sees, the One who hears – the One who knows you and loves you, the one who can and will deliver you and renew in you the joy of your salvation – to God alone! Don’t let yourself be bound in the silk threads any longer. There is an escape! Go to the One who has the power to deliver you – Jesus!

Interestingly enough as I was thinking about all of these things as I studied that spider web this morning I came across these verses from Psalm 62

Truly my soul silently waits for God;

From Him comes my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my defense;

I shall not be moved…

My soul, wait silently for God alone,

For my expectation is from Him,

He only is my rock and my salvation;

I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength,

And my refuge, is in God.

Trust Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

Yes, there is an escape from the web. Go to God alone and ask Him to help you find your way back to the hope and to the dream He placed within your heart. Go to God first. Talk to Him. Read His word. Don’t give up. As you draw close to Him, walking in the light, you will recognize the threads the enemy is weaving, the traps he is setting. God’s light will reveal them. Strength will come. Hope will be renewed. Joy will return – the joy of your salvation. Selah.