Famous Last Words

What would you say if you only had a few hours left to live?

Despite all his accomplishments, Leonardo da Vinci's last words were, "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have." President Grover Cleveland's final comment was, "I have tried hard to do the right." Circus promoter and entrepreneur P. T. Barnum's last words reportedly were, "How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?"

When comedian Lou Costello died in 1959, his last words were, "That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted." In 1960 a criminal named James W. Rodgers exclaimed, "Why yes, a bulletproof vest!" when asked if he had any last requests before being executed by a firing squad.

It's reported that Queen Elizabeth I of England's last words were, "All my possessions for a moment of time." Thomas Jefferson asked, "Is it the Fourth?" and died on July 4, 1826—the same day American patriot John Adams expired. Film producer Louis B. Mayer's last words were, "Nothing matters. Nothing matters."

The Bible records some famous last words. As he was stoned to death, the martyr Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit . . . . Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:59, 60). Nearing death, the apostle Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Second Samuel 23:1 says, "These are the last words of David." By now, David was no longer a vigorous young warrior fighting lions, bears, and giants. He was a weary veteran so "old and well advanced in years" that "he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him" (1 Kings 1:1). David's family problems and the pressures of serving as king had taken their toll. Perhaps he felt like the fellow who complained that he had reached the "metallic age"—silver in his hair, gold in his teeth, iron in his vitamins, and lead in his shoes. But David had some important things to say as death approached.

He was convinced his life had made a difference. He said, "When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth" (2 Samuel 23:3, 4). David was far from perfect, but God had used him to bring hope to others like sunrise on a clear morning or a refreshing spring rain.

The Bible summarizes David's life by saying, "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep . . ." (Acts 13:36). How can you fulfill God's purpose in your generation before you die? You may be the one who brings hope to a 12-year-old who needs somebody to love her. You may be the bright spot for a senior adult who thinks everyone else has forgotten him. You may be the voice in the crowd who speaks up for truth. When you face death, it will matter a great deal to know that your life has made a difference.

Even more important, David was confident about his relationship with God. He asked, "Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?" (2 Samuel 23:5).

David lived hundreds of years before Christ. Today, on this side of the cross and the empty tomb, we have even more reasons to believe God "will bring to fruition our salvation." Jesus rose from the dead and ascended back to the right hand of God where he "always lives to intercede" for us (Hebrews 9:25).

For a believer, death isn't a closed door; it's an open door to even sweeter fellowship with God. Because of the risen Christ, death isn't the closing benediction of life but an opening call to worship. On that day what matters most will not be our last words, but his: "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).