“I Will Fear No Evil”

Psalm 23:4

Funeral Sermon for Carl Miller

March 9, 1999

            Grace, Mercy, and Peace to you from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hope is the theme of our service today. Hope, as defined by Scripture is not wishful thinking, but a certainty of what will happen based upon the promises of God.

            Lois and Carl, last Friday was not a good day for you, I know. Your tears and feelings of anger and hurt was entirely understandable. You had just heard something that I’m sure in that moment snatched all hope from your hearts. Fear took hold of your emotions because someone you love was dying. Even so, fear is not what Carl was feeling. What I believe he was feeling is hope at work. He knew his situation. He knew how it was hurting you. But, he also knew the Lord was calling him home. And that is what fills the heart with confidence.

            The Psalmist, David, wrote about such feelings of confidence in Psalm 23. There is one verse in this Psalm that Carl, himself, gave expression to when I spoke with him. It’s verse four: 4Even 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.

            Our goal today is that the Lord would use these very words to comfort and assure the family of Carl Louis Miller. May the Lord indeed fill all our hearts with confidence and hope in Him.

The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction that the psalmist ever could experience. Between the flock of God’s sheep on earth and those who have already gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed through. But even as we walk through this valley, there are words which lessen the terror. The valley is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent can not strike, nor the shadow of a sword kill. Yet, it is a valley, deep and dark, and miry. But, valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of God’s comforts to His people.

We should also notice in these words that it is a walk through the valley. The believer is never lost in this valley. They get through it, safely. Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to die, God rebukes every enemy; and guides them and holds them up in His everlasting arms. This is the very thing Carl gave expression to when I talked to him. He was simply saying, “Because of the Lord I am not afraid. Because of the Lord I am comforted.

Carl was a military man, a United States Marine, and a darn proud one who served in Korea. What he shared with me about being wounded in that conflict made me think of another verse the Psalmist wrote. Ps 27:3 says, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” Like the Psalmist, Carl expressed great confidence in his battle, even over death. He knew he was dying, yet he did not fear. He told me “This is not me, not my decision. It is the Man upstairs, the Lord. I’m just so tired. Tired of the battle.”

            We don’t often think about death or dying in our youth. Indeed, the pictures I saw Sunday night speak of something far different. They speak of happy times with friends and family. I am amazed, however, to find out that he could be hoodwinked into shooting at a deer built with sticks. That must have been something. And the stories he told of his own youth. Who would ever expect him of working in a mortuary? Then again, it wasn’t all serious. He must have been a jokester from his youth. You know, he even hid in a casket one day to scare his friend. But when he popped up out of the casket it was not his friend, but his boss, with a client. I’m told that before the boss could utter the words “You’re fired!” Carl in great wisdom said, “I quit!”

I’m sure there are many happy moments Carl’s family and friends will remember. Precious moments that will not be forgotten. But, there is one moment that meant more than any other in his life. And that moment came before any of you knew him. It happened in the month of October, 1932. That day he was baptized in the name of the Triune God. Regarding that moment we are happily reminded of the apostle’s message, “… don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Maybe Carl didn’t always give the impression of having that new life. I’m sure he didn’t, because, like me, and you, I’m sure he too was a sinner. But what’s important here is what God was doing to him and for him in baptism. Faith and trust in God has its beginnings there. God promised His Holy Spirit to all who are baptized. That Spirit is who makes us acceptable to God. That Spirit is the mark and seal of God’s approval and declaration of the forgiveness of sins on all who believe. Therein is hope. Therein is confidence. Therein is fearless love and peace. It is for this very reason that the apostle Paul can say, “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In his confirmation, Carl would have made that profession of Christian faith.

By the way, Lois, did you know that Carl was confirmed at the same church at which I was baptized? St. James, in Saginaw. As a matter of fact, the same pastor who confirmed him, baptized me, Rev. Harry Schultz. It’s a small world, isn’t it?

At an earlier hospital visit I had opportunity to share Isa 41:10 with Carl which reads, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” What a promise to have from the Creator Himself. It’s the kind of promise that allowed the Psalmist and Carl to say with confidence, “I will fear no evil.”

Neither Satan, who is the wolf that comes to the flock to kill and to destroy, and the roaring lion that seeks whom he may devour, nor evil men, who kill the body and can do no more, can do anything that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Being well aware of the Lord’s presence, the Psalmist says, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” That last words Carl said to me was this, “The Lord is with me.” Amen.