Remember the Duck

In his book, "Will Daylight Come?" Robert Heffler pens this moving illustration:

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting discouraged, he headed back to dinner. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day... Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you Johnny?" And then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck!" So Johnny did the dishes. Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, "I'm sorry, but I need Sally to help me make supper." But Sally smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." And she whispered again, "Remember the duck!" Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed!

After several days... of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck. She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you....I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Like Johnny, you and I are guilty of committing sin: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We cannot deny it or hide it.

The good news (the Gospel) is that forgiveness is available! Jesus died on the cross so that we can be forgiven of our sin. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). God has promised that: - if we will - place our trust in Him: (Hebrews 11:6), repent of our sins (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:27), and live in faithful obedience to Him (1 John 1:7), - then He will - wash away our sins.

You would think... that once we receive forgiveness from God, Satan would leave us alone, but he doesn't! He continues to accuse us and tries to make us feel guilty. That's what he does best -- he's an accuser (Revelation 12:10). Sometimes we make the mistake of listening to him -- and thus remain a slave!

Forgiveness offers freedom -- freedom from "guilt" as well as freedom from "sin".

How long will you allow Satan to make a slave of you? Accept the Lord’s forgiveness by trusting and obeying Him today!



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