I was reading a gorgeous old fairy tale to my youngest son recently, about the little duck Shingebiss and the Old North Wind. Although the wind is frigid and daunting, Shingebiss has no worries because his winter provisions and home are secure. I was especially moved by the powerful truths in little Shingebiss’ song:
“You can never frighten me,
One who doesn’t fear is free!”
John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Just like Shingebiss, we have no need to fear any frigid or daunting circumstance or emotion we face, because Christ is our provision, and all of our needs are met in Him. Fear can be the vice-grip of the enemy, even for Christians. In Luke 7, we read of the “sinful” woman who lavishly cleans the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume, and wipes them dry with her hair. Jesus’ response to her is profound, yet subtle. He says, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (emphasis mine).
Yet how many of us receive Christ’s forgiveness, plus His saving faith, but then walk away still carrying our emotional baggage? Fear is the vice-grip of the enemy, but Christ lives to free us from this tormenting captor. Like that little duck, your provisions and home are secure in Christ. Repent of mistrust, fall on His mercy, and rest in His shadow.
And declare aloud to the enemy, like Shingebiss, “You can never frighten me; One who doesn’t fear is free!”
Psalm 91: 1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow.
And declare aloud to the enemy, like Shingebiss, “You can never frighten me; One who doesn’t fear is free!”
Psalm 91: 1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”</strong>
Klumo, Kate, Editor. Tasha Tudor’s Bedtime Book. Platt & Munk Publishers, New York, 1977.
