WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
TOPIC: DON’T LIVE IN FEAR OF DYING
BY T. O. BANSO
“ Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15 New King James Version).
Someone said in frustration that this is the season of deaths. She has heard about the death of quite a number of people, including those she knew, and she was scared. With so many people who have died from COVID-19 complications or innocent people that bandits and terrorists have killed, there is the tendency for many to be harassed by the fear of death.
David says, “My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness” (Psalm 55:4-7 New King James Version). Many people can relate to David in his condition. The terrors of death have fallen upon them.
With so many deaths occurring, some people are so depressed and would even express their fear by saying they don’t know who is next. While this could be a natural reaction, they must never continue in this mode and live in fear of dying. That is what the devil wants. If you’re born again, Jesus has already delivered you from the fear of death by His own death on the cross.
Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (New King James Version).
The New Living Translation renders the passage thus: “Because God’s children are human beings — made of flesh and blood — Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying” (New Living Translation).
Sin comes from Satan, and death comes from sin. Therefore, Satan had the power of death. But we have been delivered from sin by the death of Jesus on the cross. Therefore, believers should no more be a slave to the fear of dying.
Maybe, during this trying period, you also have lost some people who are dear to you or you have relationships with. It could be very painful. But as you mourn their passage, don’t be tormented by the fear of death. Don’t let the fear of death deny you the opportunity of the good life God wants you to live. The fear of death doesn’t prevent it from coming; it can only hasten it!. What do you gain by dying before your time? Don’t live in fear of dying.
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Satan is a tormentor. Don’t let him use the fear of death to torment you. Some people you know may have died but it’s not your turn, no matter your current condition.
I recall a young lady who was being tormented by the fear of death after the sudden death of her father. The father was young. The fear of death the lady had was not natural. It had become a spirit. Until she was delivered from that spirit, she could not live her normal life.
I don’t know if you are possessed by the spirit of death. You could even be seeing yourself dead or in a coffin. You can be delivered. Every appointment with death concerning you is cancelled now in Jesus’ name. Any sentence of death over your life is annulled.
Psalm 89:48 says, “No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave” (New Living Translation). But it is not yet your turn to die. Even if you’re on hospital admission, choose to live and not to die. Expect God to heal you. You will not die in that sick-bed. Your sickness shall not be unto death.
God cancelled Hezekiah’s appointment with death. Yours is cancelled too in Jesus’ name. Hezekiah recovered. You will recover. Hezekiah’s life was extended by fifteen years (2 Kings 20:1-11). The Lord will grant you an extension of life. Don’t let Satan torment you with the fear of death. The psalmist says he shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD (Psalm 118:17). Confess this also.
Jesus swallowed up death in victory by His death on the cross and resurrection. By His death and resurrection, Jesus has given every child of God victory over the devil and death. Jesus has the keys of life and death. He is the resurrection and the life. He says anyone who believes in Him, though he dies, he shall live (John 11:25).
Jesus, by His death, has destroyed him that had the power of death and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Therefore, you don’t need to be held in bondage by the fear of death again. You already have the victory.
If you’re born again, you should know that when you die, you’re going to resurrect at the resurrection of the saints. Death is not the end; death is not a loss. Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain. Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 New King James Version). Death does not have the final say!
There is resurrection after death! “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law” (1 Corinthians 15:54-56 New King James Version).
The Bible says if you love your life, you’ll lose it but if you lose it, you’ll gain it. Live your life without any fear that you’re going to lose it. Those who live their lives harboring such fear actually lose it. “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity” (John 12:25 New Living Translation).
That does not mean you should be careless with your life. Rather, live your life with faith in God that you won’t die prematurely because your life is hidden in Christ. The Lord shall deliver you from premature death. “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:18-19 New King James Version).
The apostle Paul says God “who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10 New King James Version). Put your trust in God. He will deliver you, too. Don’t live in fear of dying. You won’t die before your time in Jesus’ name. Nevertheless, 1 Thessalonians 4:14 tells us that if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for, through Your death, destroying, Satan, who had the power of death. Thank You for swallowing up death in victory. Thank You for setting me free to live not as a slave to the fear of dying. I shall not live in the fear of death or die prematurely in Jesus’ name. Father, deliver those who are living in fear of dying and heal everyone who is sick.
(For over 400 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
