“The Shadow Of Death”

Today is Easter Monday…we’re in the octave of Easter…8 days of Easter Sundays. It’s the greatest season of the year. Christ is risen from the dead. It’s time to celebrate …a time to think of Christ’s victory and our ultimate victory.

Nevertheless, we can get caught and dragged back into the sorrows of our earthly world. Even though it’s Easter and we’re enjoying our chocolate eggs and Peeps, we need to be careful. Even on Easter Monday, it can seem that the “dark valley” is everywhere, the shadow of death still lurking .….that the devil has taken over the steering wheel and is driving this world over a cliff…. into the valley of death. Wow, where is the push back? Where is common sense ? Where is the counter attack? Has the Lord taken a break ?

Well, let’s calm down for a minute. Let’s refresh our memories of “God’s take” on all of this.

I love the 23^rd Psalm…it reminds us of some basic truths.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) The Lord is with us, with his rod and staff. We have no reason to fear… the Lord who is mighty is by our side.  

Let’s also remember Psalm 27. “When evil doers come at me to devour my flesh. My foes and my enemies themselves stumble and fall.” (Ps. 27:2) The Lord protects his people and causes his enemies to stumble and fall. The enemies of the Lord will stumble. Evil always self-destructs. For our part we must remain faithful and do his will. The devil eventually “shoots himself in the foot”. This is no time to panic. 

We will be fine. Let’s just stay close to the Lord and he will take care of everything. 

And remember Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Enjoy your Easter basket, have a glass of good wine, crack a good joke, smile and love….. it’s Easter and we have no more reason to fear. The devil has lost… good times are here and they’re going to be greater as we continue to move into Christ’s reign. It’s time to celebrate…..Happy Easter !!!