People are often remembered by remarkable discoveries, critical innovations, or monumental achievements because of their impact on human history and society. Those accomplishments are typically summarized in a person’s epitaph. For example, the epitaph of Thomas Jefferson reads:
HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON, AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
If we were asked to pen an epitaph for David in the Bible, what might we include? Perhaps descriptions such as “Victor over Goliath,” “Mighty king of Israel,” or “Subduer of the Philistines.” Indeed, David had many feats and titles of worldly renown. The author of 2 Samuel, however, before recording David’s final words, decided to describe him very differently.
Now these are the last words of David.
Thus says David the son of Jesse;
Thus says the man raised up on high,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
Broadly speaking, the first three descriptions summarize the stages of David’s life. The last, however, describes what David did—not as a warrior in his youth or as a king in his adulthood, but as a psalmist throughout all his days. Despite all his marvelous accomplishments, the Bible remembers David for the things people more easily overlook—his words of thanksgiving, praise, and glory to God.
Day to day, we may study diligently and work tirelessly in the hope that at the end of our lives we can be remembered by some small but lasting contribution to the world. Yet let us not forget that the recognition of men will pass away with the world, but the recognition of God will endure. The heart that we pour into our servitude may be long forgotten by people, but it will be forever remembered by God.
May we be remembered less for our worldly merits, and more for our life-long service to God.
Questions for Reflection
1. How will we be remembered? Do we desire to be remembered by man for our degrees and titles, or by God for our offerings to Him?
2. What can we offer to gain the recognition of God?
Mara nyingi watu wanakumbukwa kwa uvumbuzi wa ajabu, uvumbuzi muhimu, au mafanikio makubwa kwa sababu ya athari zao kwenye historia ya kibinadamu na jamii. Kwa kawaida mafanikio hayo hufafanuliwa katika maandishi ya mtu aliyeuawa. "Kwa mfano, kwenye maandishi ya Thomas Jefferson, kuna maneno haya: ""Hapa akazikwa Thomas Jefferson, mwandishi wa Azimio la Uhuru wa Marekani, wa Sheria ya Virginia ya Uhuru wa Kidini, na baba wa Chuo Kikuu cha Virginia.""" Ikiwa ungependa kuandika maandishi ya ukumbusho kwa ajili ya Daudi, ungependa kuandika nini? "Hata hivyo, kuna mambo mengi yanayoweza kumfanya Daudi awe mtu mashuhuri sana, kama vile ""Mshindi wa Goliathi,"" ""Mfalme mwenye nguvu wa Israeli,"" au ""Mshindi wa Wafilisti.""" Hata hivyo, kabla ya kuandika maneno ya mwisho ya Daudi, mwandishi wa 2 Samweli aliamua kumfafanua kwa njia tofauti sana. Hizi ndizo maneno ya mwisho ya Daudi. "2 ""Hivi ndivyo anavyosema Daudi mwana wa Yese,Hivi ndivyo anavyosema yule aliyeinuliwa juu,Mchaguliwa wa Mungu wa Yakobo,Mwimbaji wa Zaburi wa Israeli: 3 Kwa ujumla, maelezo matatu ya kwanza yanafupisha hatua za maisha ya Daudi." Hata hivyo, wimbo wa mwisho unafafanua kile ambacho Daudi alifanya - si akiwa mpiganaji katika ujana wake au akiwa mfalme katika utu uzima wake, bali akiwa mtunga-zaburi siku zake zote. Licha ya mafanikio yake yote ya ajabu, Biblia inamkumbuka Daudi kwa mambo ambayo watu hupuuza kwa urahisi - maneno yake ya shukrani, sifa, na utukufu kwa Mungu. Kila siku, tunaweza kujifunza kwa bidii na kufanya kazi bila kuchoka kwa matumaini kwamba mwishoni mwa maisha yetu tunaweza kukumbukwa kwa mchango mdogo lakini wa kudumu kwa ulimwengu. Lakini tusisahau kwamba sifa ya wanadamu itapita pamoja na ulimwengu, lakini sifa ya Mungu itadumu. Moyo wetu ambao tumemimina katika utumishi wetu unaweza kusahaulika kwa muda mrefu na watu, lakini utakumbukwa milele na Mungu. Na tuweze kukumbukwa kidogo kwa ajili ya sifa zetu za kidunia, na zaidi kwa ajili ya huduma yetu ya maisha yote kwa Mungu. Maswali ya Kufikiria Tutakumbukwaje? Je, tunataka kukumbukwa na wanadamu kwa digrii zetu na vyeo vyetu, au na Mungu kwa matoleo yetu Kwake? 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Tunaweza kutoa nini ili kupata utambuzi wa Mungu?