Years ago, Hal Linsey wrote a book entitled, “Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth.” Well, as you look at all of the evil in our world, you have to concur – Hal Lindsey is right!
The Bible says that death is an enemy, and there are certainly a lot of evils associated with it – plagues, and disasters, and murder, and disease, and war, and acts of terrorism. My, what evil! But in the 23rd Psalm, we are given a word of hope. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” Now, isn’t that great news! I don’t have to be afraid of the evil.
This word “evil” is the common Hebrew word for things that are bad or wicked. In the Bible, this word is translated in various ways with words like “adversity; affliction; calamity; wickedness.” Actually this adjective comes from a root verb which means “to spoil” (literally, by breaking to pieces). So “evil” really has the idea of that which injures, and destroys, and hurts. NOT a nice word!
Now the concept of death usually has all of these foreboding things associated with it. But the child of God is assured that he or she does not have to be afraid of any of the evils associated with death, for the Lord is with each one to overcome the evil.
In the history of the church, there are literally thousands of stories of believers who died in horrible circumstances. They died with a sense of peace in their hearts – praying for their accusers – singing praises to the Lord – and in many ways, overcoming the evil that was around them. So, be encouraged! “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”
Hey – We are more than conquerors though Him that loved us. Remember that!