How We Live and How We Die

Saturday, September 21, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?”

2 Samuel 3:31–33

Abner served his cousin Saul for many years as commander of the army. After Saul’s death, he offered to use his influence to encourage the people to proclaim David as king. David accepted the offer despite the fact that Abner had led the troops trying to kill him. Yet Joab held a grudge against Abner because he had killed Joab’s brother years before during battle. So when Joab got the opportunity, he killed Abner at the gates of Hebron. David was distressed because he had not wanted Abner killed, and he especially lamented the way in which Abner died. He instructed that Abner be buried with great ceremony.

Unless we meet Jesus in the Rapture, we will one day die and enter His presence. Once we are gone, those who are left behind will remember us based on how we lived our lives. Charles Spurgeon said, “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” We should live in such a way that people will be sorry when we die. “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:39).

Today's Growth Principle: 

The way in which we are remembered after we are gone is determined by the way we live while we are alive.