“Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (I Timothy 3:7).

A snare is a trap normally used to catch an unwary wild animal, but each of the five times the word (Greek, pagis) is used in the New Testament, it refers to devices used by the great deceiver, Satan, to trap unwary human beings.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4).

“Now the God of peace be with you all” (Romans 15:33).

Our God of all the world has been known by many names in Scripture (Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, etc.), but He is also identified, especially in the New Testament, as the God of many virtues and graces.

“I will go in the strength of the LORD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only” (Psalm 71:16).

“But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased” (Psalm 115:3).

We often raise questions about God’s actions, but He is never obligated to explain to us His reasons. It is enough to know that it pleased Him, for whatever He does is right by definition.