Hebrews 11:4 records these amazing words, “he being dead still speaks.” This passage reveals that the good testimony of Able lives on even though he has gone the way of all the earth (Josh. 23:14) a living legacy from the grave. What will we leave behind to speak for us when we are dead? Will it be like Joshua’s influence that lived on in the generation after his death? “And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten yours old…And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel” (Josh. 24:29-31).
Egypt prospered after Joseph’s death until a king rose up who decided not to know Joseph or follow his goodness.
Some people are soon forgotten. Others we try to forget. Only few are indelibly marked upon our minds because of their good and noble characteristics.
Methuselah lived 969 years but little else is known about him. Jesus lived only a brief 33 years and we remember much about Him. When we leave this world what marks will we leave behind?
The equation of remembrance is quite simple. To leave behind an example worthy of emulation we must live a life dedicated to God’s service (2 Tim. 2:21). Few passages summarize this better than Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good: And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Although this plan is simple few are selfless enough to follow it. To do justly really means to do what is right. The Psalmist declared that all of God’s commandments are righteous (Ps. 119:172). Our days should be filled with doing what God tells us to do. “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). “Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day” (Ps. 25:4-5).
The lovers of mercy are gems among the stones – seldom do we find them. Our Lord taught us about the high price of being unmerciful (Matt. 18:33-35). The merciless usually are those who have discounted the mercy God has already shown to them. The ungrateful and implacable always team up with the unmerciful in the devil’s army. If I truly love the mercy God has given me I’ll try my best to show it to others.
The greatest servant is the most humble servant. That is a truth turned upside down from what men practice. The prideful king Nebuchadnezzar even learned this lesson. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride Hi is able to put down” (Dam. 4:37).
Pride has destroyed many men and many nations (Obad. 3-4). Man cannot fend for himself. We breath God’s air, eat His food, and cool in His breezes. To deny such is impudence of the grossest kind.
“Walking humbly” reminds us of the blessed Savior’s example. He came not to do His will but to do the will of God who sent Him (John 5:30). He became poor so that we might be rich (2 Cor. 8:9). In His humility He bore the burden of the sins of us all (Isa. 53:1-7). You and I can follow in His steps by submitting to God’s will and not our own (Matt. 26:24).
After I am gone people will speak of me…but for how long? What deeds will follow me (Rev. 14:13)? Will I have made a difference for the cause of Christ?
Only one life, it soon will pass, only what’s done for Christ will last.
This was taken from “The Words of Truth” by Joseph D. Chase.
Love Keith
