Tag: Bible reading

  • Famous Final Words

    Don’t be fooled by the title; Gleanings isn’t going anywhere. We plan to be around as long as God calls us to be here. The title comes from the fact that I thought about famous last words the other evening. Some are ironic; others profound.

    American Civil War General John Sedgwick was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse on May 9, 1864, by a long-range shot from a sharpshooter. He is remembered for his final words, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.

    Peter Abelard, the famous 12th-century philosopher, after a lifetime of study and thought: “I don’t know.” The more we know, the more we learn that we do not know.

    Queen Elizabeth 1: “All my possessions for a moment of time.” A little late to recognize that material goods do not replace other, more valuable things

    Thomas Becket, early chancellor of England, shortly before being murdered by knights of King Henry II: “For the name of Jesus and the protection of the church I am ready to embrace death.” A martyr for the faith.

    Musician Al Jolson: “This is it! I’m going. I’m going.” We all have to go sometimes.

    Author H.G. Wells: “Go away. I’m all right.” He was as wrong about that as he was about Christ.

    French revolutionary George Jacques Danton: “Show my head to the people. It is worth seeing.” George had a colossal ego right until the end.

    Basketball legend “Pistol” Pete Maravich collapsed during a game. His final utterance was: “I feel great.” Perhaps, not so great there, Pete.

    Blues singer Bessie Smith died saying, “I’m going, but I’m going in the name of the Lord.” That is a profound ending.

    Many of the words of Jesus were recorded for us by the authors of Scripture. All the words he spoke are profound and inspired, but His final words on the cross strike a chord.

    Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 ESV

    Jesus closes His life with the words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to God the Father. We see his complete trust in his heavenly Father. Jesus entered death in the same way he lived each day, offering up his life as the perfect sacrifice and placing himself in God’s hands.

    We would do well to emulate Jesus’ final words in our daily lives. Taking the time to remember God and praying is a great place to start the day. There is no better place than we can be than in the dead center of God’s will.

    Being in the center of His will doesn’t mean things will always be easy. The narrow road is often difficult. Yet, our Lord is Sovereign, and He wants what is best for His children. His will may ordain tough times, but He will not leave us there.

    The last words of Scripture are a blessing:

    The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:21 ESV

    Here is the whole promise of God encapsulated in a few words. God’s grace poured out on those who love Him. What a beautiful promise and ending.

    Until next time, take some time to savor God’s wondrous grace.

    Kevin. 

    SUMMARY

    I’ve been thinking about famous last words lately, from generals to queens to musicians. Comparing them to Jesus’ final words on the cross, only one offers real hope.

    TAKEAWAY

    Queen Elizabeth realized too late that “material goods do not replace other, more valuable things” — you don’t have to wait until your final hour to act on that.

    Jesus’ final words were trust, not fear: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” That’s the same trust you’re called to live out now, not just at the end.

    Scripture’s own last words are a promise for you: God’s grace poured out on those who love Him.

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  • Two bees or not two bees?

    Thoughts on Psalm 119

    I snapped this shot in the backyard recently for no particular purpose. I didn’t realize there were two bees inside the dahlia flower. One is quite visible; the second is almost hidden by the first bee and the flower petals.

    Our backyard is popular with the bees. Usually, I see bumblebees like these, and occasionally a honeybee. There are also plenty of solitary bees. There are more than 50 bee species that live in BC, most of which are quite small, and I just don’t notice them.

    I might be related to Winnie the Pooh because when I see bees, I think of honey. Bumble bees don’t make honey the way honeybees do. They make far less, not enough to be harvestable; still, in my mind, a bee equals honey.

    Thinking of honey brought to mind a scripture passage.

    Oh how I love your law!

    It is my meditation all the day.

    Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

    for it is ever with me.

    I have more understanding than all my teachers,

    for your testimonies are my meditation.

    I understand more than the aged,

    for I keep your precepts.

    I hold back my feet from every evil way,

    in order to keep your word.

    I do not turn aside from your rules,

    for you have taught me.

    How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

    Through your precepts I get understanding;

    therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:97-104 ESV

    Psalm 119 is devoted to praising the Law of God, its beauty and usefulness. 

    It’s an alphabetical acrostic poem, with its 176 verses grouped into 8 verse sections. The first letter (in Hebrew) of each section begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet: aleph, beth and so on. It’s a marvel of literary construction. It’s not the only alphabetic acrostic in the Psalms but is certainly the largest,

    More importantly, though, is its deep, resonant theme of the goodness of God and His Word. I wonder if we have the same appreciation for the Scriptures that the Psalmist did.

    I love reading the Word, but I confess I don’t always think of it as sweeter than honey. I can often find other things to read or fill my time with instead of the Scriptures.

    When I do read it, I sometimes neglect to consider it as a whole. It was written over 1500 years, on three continents in 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) by about 40 authors. Yet it presents an incredibly cohesive story.

    It’s a book that has survived many efforts to eradicate it and still remains the best-selling book in the world today. That doesn’t include the number of Bibles available as apps or online. It’s a trend that shows no sign of ending. In fact, in the US, the number of Bibles sold in 2025 doubled the sales of 2018. 

    Are you reading yours? Is it sweeter than honey? Are you applying what you read?

    Read the Word. Read the Word. Read the Word.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Two bees hid in a backyard dahlia and got me thinking about honey and Psalm 119. It left me asking if I treasure God’s word as sweeter than honey, or just fill my time elsewhere.

    TAKEAWAY

    Is God’s word sweeter than honey to you, or do you turn to other things instead?

    Remember the Bible is one story, not scattered pieces, even though it took 1,500 years and about 40 authors to write.

    Are you reading your Bible? Are you applying what you read?

    #Dahlia #Bumblebee #ScriptureOfTheDay #BackyardGarden

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