The Dead Still Speak

Be Strong, Be Well — Friday, December 4, , 2020

In the great faith chapter of the Bible, Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”

The last phrase of this verse “he being dead still speaks,” brings to mind something that is proven to us over and over again. It is the truth that those who have gone on before us continue to speak through our memories of them.

This is a blessing God has given to those who have had to say goodbye to the ones we have loved and cherished for so long.

For many of us, our parents remain the single greatest influence of anyone we have known in this life. This will remain true for the rest of our lives, because of our memories of them. Long before my father died I would say or do something he said or did. His face would flash in my mind. Now that he is dead, I am confident he will still speak to me.

Our teachers, friends, and other relatives, are among those who continue to speak to us long after they’re gone. These folks have left their mark on us. A case in point for me, is a preacher friend and scholar who died yesterday. For many years I have looked up to him for answers to so many questions. Now he’s gone on to his reward, but I know his words will still speak to me for years to come. Lord willing, if I continue to live that long.

Last but not least, are those Bible characters recorded in scripture. Anytime we need encouragement, a faith-boost, or life lesson, we can go to them by reading and studying their lives and words. They will speak to us if we let them.—Chris