Many of you may remember the childhood story of Chicken Little and Henny Penny... there are various versions...Here is a version which can remind us of a lesson of what not to do in times of crisis.
One day as Chicken Licken was out in the woods, scratching around for something to eat,
KERPLUNK — an acorn fell on her head. "Oh my goodness!" said Chicken Little. "The sky is falling! I must go and tell the king."
On her way to the king's palace, Chicken Little met Henny Penny. Henny Penny said that she was going into the woods to hunt for worms.
"Oh no, don't go!" said Chicken Little. "I was there and the sky fell on my head! Come with me to tell the king."
So Henny Penny joined Chicken Little and they went along and went along as fast as they could.
Soon they met Cocky Locky, who said, "I'm going to the woods to hunt for seeds."
"Oh no, don't go!" said Henny Penny. "The sky is falling there! Come with us to tell the king." So Cocky Locky joined Henny Penny and Chicken Little, and they went along and went along as fast as they could.
Soon they met Goosey Poosey, who was planning to go to the woods to look for berries.
"Oh no, don't go!" said Cocky Locky. "The sky is falling there! Come with us to tell the king." So Goosey Poosey joined Cocky Locky, Henny Penny and Chicken Little, and they went along as fast as they could.
Then who should appear on the path but sly old Foxy Woxy.
"Where are you going, my fine feathered friends?" asked Foxy Woxy. He spoke in a polite manner, so as not to frighten them.
"The sky is falling!" cried Chicken Little. "We must tell the king."
"I know a shortcut to the palace," said Foxy woxy sweetly. "Come and follow me."
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But wicked Foxy Woxy did not lead the others to the palace. He led them right up to the entrance of his foxhole. Once they were inside, Foxy Woxy was planning to gobble them up!
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Just as Chicken Little and the others were about to go into the fox's hole, they heard a strange sound and stopped.
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How Foxy Woxy ran, across the meadows and through the forests, with the hounds close behind. He ran until he was far, far away and never dared to come back again.
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After that day, Chicken Little always carried an umbrella with her when she walked in the woods. The umbrella was a present from the king. And if — KERPLUNK — an acorn fell, Chicken Little didn't mind a bit. In fact, she didn't notice it at all.
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In a way we are a little like Chicken Little as we buy into or feed into the frenzy that has gone on over the financial markets in these days.
Let's remember the Word of God which says:
6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith? 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? When one is facing crises in life, it can be very scary and unsettling to stand especially if you feel alone to face the storms of life. But the promises of God are that He is "closer than a brother" and He will "never leave us nor forsake us". Even we Christians can be afraid, though we know that God does not bring "a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind". I encourage those of you today who may be feeling fearful and alone. You can rely on the promises of God to see you through and protect you from the chaos all around...just like Henny Penny used her umbrella to protect her. God is ever merciful and gracious and just like he provided for his people long ago when he led them out of capitivity, he will provide for us today....May God richly bless you today. (Num 6:24-26 NIV) "' "The LORD bless you and keep you; {25} the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; {26} the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." If music touches you and helps comfort you, I recommend watching and listening to this stirring rendition of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" by the late, great Mahalia Jackson.
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