Saturday, September 14, 2019

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED


I will remember the deeds of the Lord… I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
-Psalm 77:11,12

How would you like to be remembered when you die? The American humorist Mark Twain said, “So live that when you die, even the undertaker will be sorry”  - not an easy accomplishment. Douglas Mac Arthur is remembered for saying, “Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away.” Jonas Salk as the man who discovered the polio vaccine. And some will be remembered for their evil deeds – as serial killers, assassins, political terrorists, rapist or thieves.

 In the Old Testament book of Chronicles are fascinating stories of famous and powerful people. Some went to their deaths in disgrace and some in fame and glory. Their life stories finish with a one – line summary. For example, King Jehoram, was arrogant and ill-liked. He died at 32 of an incurable disease. The chapter on his life closes with these words: “He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.” (2 Chronicles 21:20).

What a contrast to another king Josiah, who lived a few generations later. Of him it was written, “He was buried in the tombs of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.” Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah which to this day are sung.

If for some strange reason God draws a line at the end of your life at 12 tonight, how would you be remembered? No one knows when we should prepare the epitaph for our final resting place. Yet we are remembered both for what we are and what we do, negatively or positively.

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