EVIL DIDN’T GET THE LAST WORD Written by Brian Ketchum [Verse 1] I was sixteen when the news came, On a Father’s Day in June. Two people I loved were taken, And my whole world changed too soon. My aunt said, “God can work this for good,” But I couldn’t see it then. I turned my back and raised a bottle, Trying not to feel again. [Verse 2] Two years later, in a church house, I stood while others went to pray. With my eyes closed I heard a voice Say words I couldn’t turn away: “In your sin you’re no different Than the men who took their lives.” I looked around—there was nobody. Then I heard it one more time. [Pre-Chorus] I said, “Lord, I never killed a man.” Then the truth cut through my pride: I was looking at another man’s sin While mine was killing me inside. [Chorus] Evil didn’t get the last word, Mercy spoke a louder one. I came crawling to that altar, And I left there knowing the Son. I asked, “What good could come from heartache That has torn my world apart?” I didn’t get an answer— But Jesus got my heart. [Verse 3] Years went by, I met one of them In a little neighborhood gym. He didn’t know whose eyes he looked in; I knew exactly who was him. I said, “You murdered my grandparents.” He put his face down in his hands. I made it nearly to the doorway, Then turned and faced that man. [Verse 4] I said, “I want you to know I forgive you.” Then I walked out through that door. Never saw that man again, Never needed anything more. I’d thought forgiveness was a pardon Only wounded people received. But grace that stops with the forgiven Ain’t the grace that rescued me. [Chorus] Evil didn’t get the last word, Mercy spoke a louder one. The hate I’d carried couldn’t hold me After what the cross had done. I still didn’t have my answer For the question in my heart, But God was writing something I could only see in part. [Bridge] More than twenty years went by Before the answer finally came. I was telling this same story To a stranger one day. I told them where I’d been, And what Jesus did for me— And right there they turned to Christ, And an old verse came back to me. What was meant for evil, God had never called it good— But He took what tried to break me And did what only He could. [Final Chorus] Evil didn’t get the last word, Jesus had the final say. He didn’t change what happened, He changed what happened in me that day. So if you’re running, if you’re wondering If His mercy reaches where you are— I’m not telling you what I’ve heard about Him. I’m telling you what He’s done in my heart. [Tag] And if He’s brought you out of darkness, Don’t hide the scars that tell you where you’ve been. Tell your story— You don’t know who needs to hear it To find their way to Him. Evil didn’t get the last word. Jesus did.
