Jericho

Every morning, before the sun would rise, Jericho would walk to the edge of the meadow. This meadow was covered with the freshest green grass in the land. And for a little lamb like Jericho, there was no better place to be.  

He loved the mornings. It was his favourite time of the day. For the morning was filled with singing birds and a refreshing cool breeze that brought a tingle of life throughout his entire body. He liked the mornings especially because they were quiet. It was so peaceful. And every day, after he got his fill of grass, he would go across the field, and down the hill to the gently flowing stream. 

He liked to get there early before any other creatures came by. He would drink and drink until his belly was full, and just stand by the edge, listening to the bubbling water. The birds would sing their songs, the air was crisp, and it seemed to him to have a feeling of joy. Anyway, it made him feel joyful. 

The sun would slowly begin to rise now. Casting golden beams across the meadow. Morning breezes still swirling around him, Jericho would breathe deep and let the light of the sun begin to warm him. He smiled and thought about all the wonderful things there were in his life. He had everything he needed. wonderful green grass to eat. Refreshing cool water. Joy, and love, and warmth. And most of all he had peace. His life was filled with peace.

But it wasn’t always like this for Jericho. There was a time when there was no peace in the land. He remembers how his heart used to tremble with fear when the sun closed its eyes for the day. For there was a terrible wolf roaming the land, causing fear and terror where ever he went. Jericho was afraid this wolf would come and destroy all that he loved. He kept his door locked tight and he never went outdoors alone. He never got to hear the birds sing, or enjoy the babbling brook. He was very sad.

Then one day as he sat in his room all alone, he decided that he was tired of being afraid. He was tired of this bully wolf stealing his joy. He remembered the words that the great Shepard spoke to him many years ago. 

“For I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”

Remembering those words caused his heart to burst with courage. For he knew that the Shepherd was with him and would help and protect him. That was the day he boldly opened the door of his house and stepped outside. He was determined to go the top of the hill to eat the sweet grass. He didn’t care about the old bully beast wolf. 

Jericho trotted past the gate of his house and down the footpath to the meadow. No sign of the wolf. He was safe. As he began to move closer to the bottom of the hill a terrible fear swept over him. “What have I done”? He though. Surely I am too far from my home. The wolf is sure to get me now.” And in a matter of seconds, the terrible wolf appeared from the top of the hill. 

“Who is this coming up on my hill?” The wolf snarled. 

Jericho was terrified. His heart began to pound and his knees began to shake and quiver. The words of the Shepherd came flooding through his mind ..

“For I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”

Jericho blurted out in the biggest voice he knew how to make. Being such a tiny lamb, it came out more like a squeak. 

“I’m not afraid of you wolf! The Shepard is with me. This is HIS mountain. You have to go away”!

The wolf just stood there staring at him licking his chops. He seemed amused that this tiny creature was challenging him. He moved one foot closer to Jericho. Testing him out to scare him further. 

Jericho stood there. His knees quivering and his whole body frozen with fear. He couldn’t move. 

The wolf began to snarl and laugh at him and began to move even closer to him. Jericho was sorry that he even left his house that day. He was sure that the wolf was going to swallow him up. It was so easy to trust the words of the Shepherd in the safety of his snug little house. But here he was, standing in front of the thing that he feared the most. The terrible bully wolf. 

He thought about his family and all the other sheep in the land. He thought about how the wolf was stealing everything from everyone. And he thought about how unfair it was. The words of the Shepherd were ringing in his ears. So, he summoned all of his courage, and once again, he opened his mouth to try to stop the wolf. Only this time when he spoke the sound like a roaring lion came out of him. It felt like a lion was inside of him, and in that instant, all of his fear left him.

When the wolf heard the roaring coming out if this little lamb, he was stunned. His eyes popped open wide and he let out a terrible shriek. He trembled and shrunk. Then he lifted his eyes in Jericho’s direction, but just above his head and said, 

”Lion of Judah. Why have you returned? This is my territory. It’s mine! 

For the Shepherd heard the words that Jericho spoke, and he summoned the Lion of Judah that lived inside of him. Jericho was no longer afraid. He felt big, and tall, and strong, like a bold lion.

He opened his mouth once again and roared to the wolf, 

“Go now. This is not your land. You have no permission to be here”! 

At that, the wolf turned on his heels and ran. He ran as fast as he could down the hill shrieking as he ran.

When Jericho saw what happened he could hardly believe his eyes. “It’s true, it’s true! He said, jumping up and down. 

“I don’t have a spirit of fear, but  power and  love and of a sound mind!”

He skipped up the hill, laughing and singing. .. 

“I have no fear, I have no fear”!

He was so excited. He called for all of his friends to come out and see the great miracle that had happened. And then he and all of his friends in the valley stood on the hill, leaping and dancing.

And then Jericho ate the sweetest grass he ever ate in his whole life!