Psalm 23:4

“Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.” (The Amplified Bible)

As you may recall, I served as a police officer while attending college. From time to time I would discover an unlocked door at a business. You would never know whether it was just an over-sight, or a possible burglary in progress.

The policy was to search the business carefully with your gun drawn in one hand and your flashlight in the other hand. One of the most frightening things was to turn a corner and see someone with a drawn gun and flashlight facing you! It was a moment of panic until you realized that you were facing a full length mirror and you were seeing your own refection.

The image in the mirror was just that—an image. But it was terrifying! In like manner, the fear of death is an image. In fact it is a magnified image. Shadows are always larger than the real thing.

As I have read the accounts of God’s people who have been tortured to death across the ages since Jesus was here, I find that they die well. Think of Stephen who was stoned to death. He had such joy in the Lord that he preached a mighty sermon to his executioners and fell asleep with the vision of heaven in his eyes.

The next time you are tempted to fear death, stop and remind yourself that you are just passing through a valley filled with the shadow of death. The reason we need not fear is that the Lord is right there with us. Praise the Lord!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

- – - Pastor Cecil