Snares, traps, baits!

(J. C. Philpot, "The Savior of Israel" 1847)

The Lord's people are, from time to time, deeply
exercised with the power of sin. They find such
ungodly lusts--they feel such horrid evils--the
corruptions of their hearts are laid so naked and
bare--and they find in themselves such a reckless
propensity to all wickedness. They feel sin so
strong--and themselves so weak!

O how many of the Lord's people are tempted with
sin morning, noon, and night! How many evils, horrid
evils, are opening, as it were, their jaws to wholly
swallow them up! Wherever they go, wherever they
turn, snares, traps, baits seem lying on every side
--strewed thickly in their path!

They feel so helpless--and so inwardly sensible that
nothing but the almighty power of God can uphold them
as they walk in this dangerous path--a path strewed with
snares on every hand--that they are made to cry to the
Lord, "Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

Nothing short of God's salvation . . .
  in its freeness,
  in its fullness,
  in its divine manifestation,
  in its sin-subduing, lust-killing influence,
can save them from the power of sin!

"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called
 you by name--you are Mine! When you go through deep
 waters and great trouble--I will be with you! When you
 go through rivers of difficulty--you will not drown! When
 you walk through the fire of oppression--you will not be
 burned up--the flames will not consume you. For I am
 the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel--your Savior!"
    Isaiah 43:1-3