Crumbling memorials
June 9, 2023
John M. Davis was a wealthy man. His wife had just died and he did not like any of her family. He was an orphan and he had no children. To prevent his in-laws from getting his wealth when he died, he spent his entire fortune on an elaborate memorial to his wife and himself. Several statues were made, one of him and his wife dating, one of his wife, one of him in his later years, and one of him sitting by an empty chair. One statue depicts Davis placing a wreath on the tomb of his wife.
Mr. Davis finally died in 1974 at the age of 92. All that is left of this man’s life and work are the several statues that adorn the graves of the Davises. Over the years the statues have fallen into disrepair, with many tilting due to the weight. There is no money to keep the tomb up, none to help care for an ancestor’s tomb.
Life is like Mr. Davis. We build a grand kingdom, a kingdom of self, but forget what is important. We view that life is often all about us, never considering the larger picture of a God and an awaiting eternity. We die and find out that eternity is a lot longer and far more important than the few years we have here on Earth. When we die all that is left of our selfish lives is crumbing man-made memorials to a life that is soon to be forgotten.
God’s word reminds us in Psalms 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.” If we forget God, eternity will certainly be undesirable. It is not that God punishes those who forget, He punishes those who ignore. God loves you. He loves you so much that He sent his only Son to die for your sins. Jesus Christ made a way to escape the punishment of our sins through His death and resurrection; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). If you ignore this wonderful truth, what hope have you? Can you find forgiveness outside of God’s only way? Can you make a way to Heaven? God reminds us in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Ignoring God’s salvation leads you down a path that ends in hell.
Last week we celebrated Memorial Day. Many visited cemeteries and honored those who have died. In the Mount Hope Cemetery of Hiawatha, Kansas, many will see a crumbing tribute to lives long forgotten. What will be the end of your life? Have you forgotten God and ignored His salvation He offers so freely? Perhaps today is to start recalling this loving God.
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