Fear Not

Revelation 12:10b-11a – For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. (NIV)

1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (NIV)

We all know that cats devour birds. In our house, therefore, we have mouse traps, as well as a cat-deterrent noise device, placed strategically around the birds' flight cage. The birds' enclosure is also constructed of heavy metal meshing which cats can't penetrate. The cage does have one flaw, however. The holes in the meshing are just big enough that if the budgies are frightened enough and struggle hard enough, they can force their way through. I made this discovery early one morning when I was awakened by the frantic screaming of the birds.

Leaping from my bed, I hurried downstairs to find Duffy, a big Snowshoe feline, crouched in front of the refrigerator. Cowering beneath was my green budgie, Cordelle. Fortunately for him, Duffy seemed to be contemplating his next move when I intervened. Reaching down, I scooped the terrified little guy up from his hiding place.

As I considered what had prompted Cordelle's fear, I remembered that Duffy had started to make a habit of settling himself beside the bird's cage, in between the mouse traps, simply to stare at them for hours on end. I expect that this behaviour finally sent Cordelle over the edge and spurred him on to attempt escape. If only he had stayed where he was, there was no way his enemy could have laid a claw on him.

Likewise, as Christians, we, too, have a lethal enemy who seeks to stalk and devour us. He, much like Duffy, wants to frighten us into flight away from the safety of the presence of our Saviour, Christ. One of the ways he seeks to do this is by accusation. Day and night, he stands before the throne of our heavenly Father accusing us of all our sins, how we have failed Christ each and every day. He also whispers such accusations within our minds, trying to strike us with the lethal claws of guilt, shame, and the fear of Christ's rejection. At such times, we must remember to stand firm, for we are told:

Psalm 103:12 – As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (NIV)

Christ's shed blood has washed away the guilt of our sin. Thus, whenever God views us, He now sees us through the holiness of the blood of the Lamb. Satan and his accusations no longer have the power to touch us. Such a fact, when believed, grants us both peace and freedom to soar high in the powerful safety of Christ's love and refuge, now and forevermore.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for forgiveness in Christ Jesus, our place of refuge and strength. Encourage each of us daily to embrace Your gift of forgiveness by confessing any and all known sin as it occurs, that the lethal claws of accusation, shame, and guilt will have no fear nor power over our new-found lives in You. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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