Be Firm...

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Be Firm

- Sis. Stella Dhinakaran

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
(Psalm 23:4)

Our Lord not only delivers us from the darkness of sin and curse, but also from the darkness of death.

King David says, "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" (Psalms 23:4). He did not fear the shadow of death, because God was with Him. He was happy as He had the great faith that God was with him.

Look at what Jonah, who was in the fish's belly, the shadow of death, says: "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple" (Jonah 2:7). The shadow of death encompassed him (Jonah 2:1). He cried unto God because of his affliction.

The Psalmist says, "The pangs of death encompassed me; the sorrows of sheol surrounded me; the snares death confronted me" (Psalms 18:4,5,6). In Psalm 116:3 he cries out, "The pain of death encompassed me, and the pang of sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow."

Friend, there is only one person, who can deliver us from such a terrible situation. He is the one who has got the keys of Hades and Death" (Revelation1:8). He asks, "O Death, where is your victory through our Lord Jesus Christ?" (I Corinthians15: 55).

"Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57).

There was a Christian family, which did not pray. God was waiting for an opportune moment to meet them. One day, all of a sudden, the head of the family was sick unto death. The doctors lost hope. At that juncture, the family members were in tears. In the meantime, one day their last son went to Sunday school along with his friend. On that day, the Sunday school teacher taught the students Psalm 23:4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil". This verse was a great source of consolation for this small boy. He embedded it in his heart and went back home. He told his family members that each one of them should pray for their father thrice a day. Similarly, they as a family stood around his bed in the morning, noon and night and offered prayers. God, who was waiting for that time, listened to the prayers of that small boy and his family members and granted him complete deliverance. He was lifted up from the shadow of death. Then that family had a closer walk with the Lord and led a pious life.

My dear friend, are you going through the valley of the shadow of death as a family? If you want the Lord, who sees your broken heart, to come into your midst, you should look at Him with one accord. God will surely turn the situation of the shadow of death. "The righteous has a refuge in his death." (Proverbs 14:32)

Friend, be firm saying, "even if death comes at any day, I am not afraid. I am prepared to go to Jesus at any time." God will transform your life totally. Neither death nor life, nor poverty, nor glory, nor things to come can separate us from the love of God.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord,

I praise You for giving me the assurance that nothing can separate me from Your love. Help me to face everything,in every situation even at the time of death with the courage that You are with me even at the time of death. Drive this truth deep within me, and help me never forget that all that death does is to usher me into the Father's immediate presence, and give me an abiding place in the great company of the redeemed. I give all glory and honour to You alone.

Amen.