ONLY A SCARECROW

Numbers 13:17-33

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Like the children of Israel in today’s Bible reading, Hannah Hurnard, author of Hinds’ Feet on High Places, was once paralyzed by fear. Then she heard a sermon on scarecrows that challenged her to turn her fear into faith.

The preacher said, “A wise bird knows that a scarecrow is simply an advertisement. It announces that some very juicy and delicious fruit is to be had for the picking. There are scarecrows in all the best gardens. . .

If I am wise, I too shall treat the scarecrow as though it were an invitation. Every giant in the way which makes me feel like a grasshopper is only a scarecrow beckoning me to God’s richest blessings.” He concluded, “Faith is a bird which loves to perch on scarecrows. All our fears are groundless.”

Hannah testified that this humble parable has encouraged her to walk along some frightening but fruitful pathways more times than she could number.

What is your scarecrow today? Difficult circumstances? Personal inadequacy? Uncertainty? The enemy of your soul wants to keep you away from the place of God’s blessing. Perch on your scarecrow by faith, start singing, and expect an abundant feast! —jey

So let us trust Him in our troubles, for He is loving, kind, and wise; and most often trials and troubles are but blessings in disguise. —jarvis

When you fix your eyes on God, your fears will vanish.