Alluring temptations await the salmon when it returns to its breeding ground.
A clever salmon should be able to spot the metal hook poking through a wriggling
earthworm.
"Who do they think I am? I am not stupid. I'll find my food elsewhere, with no
strings attached to it!"
Nets are a bit harder to avoid, but if the salmon takes its time to look for
shadows from above, it should know that something was going on.
"I am out of here! It looks fishy (or should I say humany?) to me!"
The natives in Alaska used to spend their summers fishing at the seacoast. They
would catch enough fish food (not fish flakes for fish, but fish meat for human
consumption) in just a few weeks. How did they succeed in catching that much
fish so fast? Simply. They built stone weirs. As the tide was coming in, so did
the salmon. Even a clever salmon would have a hard time spotting something being
unusual, as stones is part of its natural environment.
When the tide was retreating though, the salmon would realize too late the
sneaky and ingenious ambush. All of a sudden it found itself in shallow water
and a stone wall hindered it to join its companions at the deep end. The natives
would come down so fast on such fish and no matter how hard the salmon fought
for its life, it would find itself in a basket and would await either to be
dried up (not a bright future for a fish!) or conserved in fat (a bit too
suffocating to my taste!).
Temptation does never pay off! Ask the caught salmon, if you don't believe me.
In life as well, some of us are able to avoid obvious temptations. No way I
would go to a casino or in a city's red zone. However the subtle temptations are
quite a different question. Unawaringly we fall into its trap and before we know
it, we are hooked. The only way to avoid such traps is to depend solely on
Jesus. He can and will keep us victorious!
1 Cor 10:13 "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of
what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never
let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be
there to help you come through it."
If per chance you are caught into the deadly web of temptation, Jesus is also
the One who can set you free. Call out to Him and trust Him. He will set you
free. Guaranteed!
John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through." The
Message
Have you seen that wriggly worm lately? Doesn't it look so appetizing?
P. S. If you need help being set free from a certain addiction, feel free to
contact us. We are here to help you out.
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.