Yesterday we learned that Plutarch wrote biographies of the men of Greece and Rome.  Historians throughout time have written grand histories—of World War II, of ancient Rome; of George Washington, and Cincinnatus; of lost civilizations, of kings, and popes and presidents.  But the truth is, most of us in this room will never make a mark on history that gets written about in published books.

Yet we all will have a history written about us all the same—in the memories of our family and friends, in the impact we make on our community, and most importantly, in the eyes of God.

Throughout the biblical record, histories of nations and of people—and particularly kings—are written.  And repeatedly, the biblical record concludes the account of these lives with one of two phrases:

“He did what was right in the sight of the Lord” or “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”

Not, “he was the smartest guy in town”; not “he was super rich when he died”; not “all the boys thought she was the prettiest.”  They end with a note about what each man did from God’s perspective.

David “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

Baasha did “evil…in the sight of the Lord.”

Zimri did “evil in the sight of the Lord.”

“Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him.”

Jehoshaphat did “what was right in the sight of the Lord.”

Ahaziah “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”

These are just a few of the kings of Israel and Judah.  The list could go on and on.  The message is simple.  History is not just the long past stories of nations and great men or of their great deeds.  It is the record of their lives, and our lives, lived out in the sight of the Lord, for which we are all accountable.  Each day we have choices to make that will, in the end, write our history for us.

Today, and every day, do your best and seek God’s help to do what is right in the sight of the Lord.  In the end, that’s the only history that will matter.

Have a wonderful day.