March 27

They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home. — 2 Sam 18:17 BSB

It has been said that every person lives for their funeral.

In other words, a person’s funeral tells the story of the life they lived. Absalom had built a grand monument to mark his grave. But instead of being laid to rest in honor beneath this noble structure, his mangled body was thrown into a pit and covered with stones.

Yet it was still true that Absalom built his own monument. His sinful actions dug the grave of shame into which he was cast. The consequences of sin are sure and terrible. Too many young men think it’s unmanly to live a good, pure life, believing that a reckless, fast life is more admirable. Absalom’s story is a vivid example of where such a life leads, and the story doesn’t stop until the very end.

The trouble is that too often, people don’t think about what the end will be.