A Legacy of Goodness

 

As I get older, I sometimes consider what my legacy might be. What will I be remembered for? Who will I be remembered by? 

But, more important, what might I pass down to my folks that has value. Not monetary value - there won't be much of that, but perhaps a legacy of goodwill. Maybe if I ever start (and then finish) the book I've always dreamed of writing, that will be my gift. They can say, "She fulfilled her dream."

But this verse really is what we should be remembered for: doing good, being rich in good deeds, and generous with a willingness to share. I have been spending a little bit of time on the Ancestry.com website. I'm trying to learn about my family a few generations back. It is easy to get lost for hours.

This family tree research is fun, but it doesn't really tell anything about my people, only vital statistics. There is no family history, no interesting stories, heroic deeds or even the hint of an outlaw in the background to spice it up a bit. 

So, how do we pass on our goodness so future family members will know we followed Jesus? Much of my history will be found in my journals. But how else can they know that my faith mattered? Love is a legacy that cannot be denied. Just like we remember Aunt Daisy for her cantankerous ways, we can be remembered for how we treated others who needed us. We might not discover these tidbits on Ancestry, but we will hear about it at family gatherings. Those we loved well will not forget. And just maybe they will pay it forward.

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1 Timothy 6:17-19

The Promise

Genesis 24:1-9

 

 

There comes a time in every person’s life when they look back to see what they have accomplished; how they got to where they are today; how they will be remembered.

 

This past week I turned 65, so these are the thoughts that came to my mind. Ultimately, it has to do with how has God worked in my life, and how has He used me in the lives of others. In the final analysis, all that matters is what is eternal.

 

In the passage today, it states that “Abraham was now very old”. He had just buried his wife who had born their only child Isaac. He was living in a land that belonged to others. In fact, he had to buy a field with a cave in order to bury his wife. He was a foreigner; an alien in the land. He was alone with his son and his faithful long time servant.

 

So it was natural for Abraham to look back on his life and remember the promise that the Lord had made to him. When Abraham was a young man God had called him to a life of faith with these words from Genesis 12:

 

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. ² “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

 

Abraham believed in God’s promise and faithfulness. He wanted to make sure that the

Lord’s promise continued through his son Isaac. So Isaac was very much a continuance of that promise from God to Abraham... as are we.

 

Therefore, as I look back on 65 years of living, I can see how God has been faithful; how He has always been at work in my life; how He has always been with me; how He has always loved and forgiven me. He has kept His promise.

 

I hope and pray that you can see God at work in your life as well, and that His promise and faithfulness are evident to you.

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2024%3A1-9&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Gen.24.1-Gen.24.9

 

 

 

 

Joshua 24:29-33

"Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel." (Joshua 24:31)

Joshua was known as a servant of the Lord.  What an honor and privilege to have spent the past two months learning of this man who was used by God in such a powerful way. This book took us on a journey through a wilderness, into The Promised Land.  We witnessed God's miracles as He led His people to the other side of the Jordan without a drop of water touching them.


God escorted the people to victory after victory over enemies more powerful than this army could have handled on their own.  God truly went before them paving a path of conquests and triumphs.  Looking back on my life I can see God going before me also, clearing away stumbling blocks and fallen logs that would impede my steps.

God’s presence in my life has made the difference between success and failure, pain and happiness, despair and hope. Joshua's work for the LORD has influenced me. I want to be like him, leaning on the promises made centuries ago to descendants never met but through stories and family tales.  My heart desires to believe as Joshua did and to lead others to believe also.  What a legacy!

Read Joshua 24:29-33 here

Listen to Joshua 24:29-33 here

How Will You Be Remembered? 2 Kings 15: 27-31

Have you ever thought about the legacy you will leave? Honestly I haven’t really thought about it. I am more focused on raising a son who will love the Lord, I haven’t thought much about what others will remember when I am gone.

In our passage today we have two kings. Both kings of God’s people, one in the northern kingdom of Samaria, the other in the southern kingdom of Judah. Verse one of 2 Kings 15 tells us that King Azariah, in Judah, did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. This is a contrast from Pekah King of Israel in Samaria, who did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

One will leave a legacy of faithfulness the other of disobedience and destruction. Pekah’s reign starts the downfall of the northern kingdom. Ouch, I would not want to be remembered that way. How we live matters. People are watching, and when we are gone we want to be thought of well. I read somewhere once that how you live today is how you live your life. How are you living today?

It’s not too late to change and one day maybe people will say of us. They did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Read the entire passage at Biblegateway 2 Kings 15:27-31