God delivers his people from the fowler's snare in two ways. From it, and out of it. First, he delivers them from the snare—keeps them from stepping into it at all. Second, if they do get caught, he delivers them out of it. Some of you treasure the first promise most. Others cling to the second.

"He will deliver you from the snare." But how? Often, it's through trouble itself. God sees our wandering will end in our destruction, so in mercy he sends hardship. We cry out, "Lord, why is this happening?" We don't realize that our trouble has just saved us from something far worse. Many souls have been rescued from ruin by their sorrows and their crosses. The very things that made them miserable frightened them away from the net.

Sometimes God keeps his people from the fowler's trap by giving them supernatural strength. When temptation comes prowling, they respond like Joseph: "How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" The trap snaps shut on empty air.

But here is the blessed truth: even if a believer stumbles into the net in a dark hour, God will pull them out! Listen, backslider. Be crushed by your failure, yes, but do not despair. You have wandered far, but hear what your Redeemer says: "Return, O wandering children. I will have mercy on you."

You say you cannot return? You say you're trapped, tangled, caught? Then lean hard on this promise: "He will deliver you out of the snare of the fowler." You will be brought out of every evil that has entangled you. And though you will never stop grieving over your foolish wandering, the One who has always loved you will not throw you away. He will receive you back. He will give you joy and gladness again. Those bones he had to break will sing.

No bird of paradise will die in the fowler's net.