August 2

Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. — 1 Sam 31:13 BSB

It’s been said that everyone lives for a funeral—the burial we receive tells the story of our life. One man may amass great wealth, and when his body lies in state, the wealthy come, glance at him, and move on without shedding a tear. Another devotes his life to doing good—caring for the needy, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and lifting up the fallen. When he lies in his coffin, the poor come, along with the widows and orphans he helped, and they bid him farewell with grateful hearts and tearful eyes.

It’s touching to see how King Saul’s body was rescued from dishonor on the battlefield where he had fallen, especially when we learn that it was an act of kindness he had done many years earlier that inspired such care. If Saul’s life had been filled with deeds of valor like those at the beginning, he would have been mourned by a grateful nation.

We should strive to live so that we will be remembered with gratitude. We should never forget to show gratitude to anyone who has blessed us. But most importantly, we must live in a way that earns honor from God. If we miss that, any earthly honor will be empty and meaningless.