When the Haiti earthquake hit, it was virtually impossible for rescue operations to commence immediately. This was because the destruction was of a massive scale, affecting all forms of infrastructure. Initially all we heard and saw was the dead littered all over the place. It looked as if God had forsaken the people.

Days later, good news began to emerge from the bad. We began to hear news of people who were literally dug out of collapsed buildings with bare hands and small tools. How else would you be able to explain the rescue of a 15-day old baby who spent half her lifetime under a collapsed building? Or a 70-year old woman dragged out from under the rubble after being trapped for one week? Or the young girl who was rescued after 11 days of being buried alive under stone and concrete?
I take a cue from the mother of the baby, she said, “It was the mercy of God”. Isn’t it amazing that this woman could recognize the hand of God amidst such large scale devastation? The old woman was singing when she was brought out of the rubble which had her trapped for days.

Many are trapped today, not necessarily under a collapsed building, but rather, they are trapped by the enemy of our souls Satan. The scriptures tell us, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10) When we find ourselves trapped, we can be assured that God is not instrumental to our entrapment. Only the enemy of our soul takes interest in anything that keeps us from living our lives to the fullest. This was shy Jesus said, ‘I came that they might have life and have it to the fullest!’

What are the entrapment strategies of the devil? The first strategy is deception. When we find ourselves trapped by a vice, habit or even a wrong relationship, our first response would be, ‘I don’t think there is anything wrong with this’. This thought is strengthened when we come in contact with people who practice similar things. We begin to believe in the lie we have told ourselves and that others have told us.

The second strategy is hopelessness. Deception usually does not take long to wear off. The entrapped person now knows that he is in bondage. The problem at this point is that he or she does not see a way out. You hear them say things like, ‘I’ve tried to end that relationship but I just can’t seem to go through with it’ or ‘I don’t want to take drugs anymore but I can’t seem to find a way out’. They are in a place of hopelessness. They want out but have been told there is no way out.

What is the solution to entrapment? It is simply turning Satan’s strategies against him. The only weapon against deception is Truth. “Then you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32) Once we know the truth, we are on our way to freedom from all that entraps us.

The second antidote is hope. ‘Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”  (Rom 4:18)

No matter how deep you think you are, buried under the weight of sin, I have good news for you; God is sending help your way! Do not despair! Do not give up and do not give in to the lie of the devil. You don’t belong down there; you belong up here, where there is peace, love and joy!

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the webmaster of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org . British by birth, He currently resides in Lagos , Nigeria with wife Maris and their children; Praise, Stephanie and Precious. He works as an IT professional in a bank. He presently serves as Church Secretary  and Head of Music Ministry in his local church. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address, steve@biblepraise.org