Beware the Snare

Dear brethren
Today's readings

Judges 4-6; Luke 21

Luk 21:34 — Luk 21:35 (KJV)
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Certainly some sobering warnings from no less the Lord Himself!
The word "Surfeiting" refers to the overconsumption of something. The NKJV and NIV renders it as "carousing" while the ESV and NASB as "dissipation". The Greek word kraipale alludes to a headache from a hangover or overindulgence. Hence the idea of excessiveness.
It is interesting that the "cares of this life" is added to the mix of supposed wanton living. Though the word "cares" here relates more to anxiety (c.f. Matt 6:27, 31), it is often true that even seemingly legitimate activities can cause us to loose our focus.
The snare is a simple but effective contraption that hunters use to trap animals. Typically consists of a loop of wire anchored to a sturdy object, for the animal to pass through and get entangled. And once caught, the struggling actually makes the snare tighter. The skilled hunter does not place snares at random but along the trails of the hunted animal thus greatly increasing the chances of a catch.
And so it is with Satan and his devices! The devil will attack the places we are most vulnerable and oftentime it's the "legitimate", "healthy" activities where it is least expected that catches one off guard. Work is good and indeed important (2Th 3:10), but is it taking our time off to serve God and worship Him? Families are important and we certainly have obligations to them (Eph 6:1-4), but are we using a spiritual or secular approach? Even the work of the Lord, without argument being the most important thing, can be a snare if we allow our egos to rule over us (c.f. Phi 1:15,16; 2Co 12:7).
Well did Paul write in 1 Cor 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Let us take heed, take care, take precautions, by continually focusing on the right things and be with like minded brethren to keep one another on our toes (we can't do it alone!) so that we will not be caught unawares on that Day.