Pleasant Stone Devotional Meditation: July 17

“Bring my soul out of prison …” Psalm 142:7a

Much of the suffering in the world springs from, or results from, someone’s imprisonment in the prison of the dread or fear of death. This is such a crowded prison we will spend two days sharing it. There are three kinds of prisoners in this place.

Those who fear death because they fear what lies “out there’ beyond it; those who dread it because they believe nothing is out there but extinction; and those who fear it because of loved ones they leave behind.

My [Eugenia Price, the author’s] friend and companion, Ellen Riley, who led me to Christ, was seriously ill a few years ago. She asked to talk with our dear friend Anna Mow, to whom this book is lovingly dedicated. Ellen told Anna she was afraid she was going to die. Anna looked at her and smiled as only one who knows God so well can smile, and replied, “Well, if you die, that’s all right.” If you know Anna Mow, you know how she said this. You know that her certainty of God is so great that when she said it, all my friend Ellen could do was smile! But she went on to tell Anna that while it would be “all right” with her to die, she was worried about what would happen to me. Ana smiled again and said, “Well Genie will be all right. The same Lord who gave her that new life, will still be the same Lord.” Annas’ voice was so quiet, and her heart so calm and sure, Ellen went right to sleep. And then she got well. No need to stay in the prison of “worrying about your loved ones” if you die.

“…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”