Bible Passage: “Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.” (2 Chronicles 21:20 CSB)
Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 21:16-20
I once invited someone to speak about how to make an impact on others. He declined, saying it wasn’t a good topic. “I can’t teach you how to make an impact on others,” he said. “You’re already making one. The only thing I can teach you is how to make a good impact on others.”
The same applies to leaving a legacy. The question isn’t whether a man will leave a legacy or not; it’s what kind of legacy we will leave behind.
To leave a legacy means to make a lasting impact on the world and future generations, extending beyond our own lives through our values, actions, achievements, and character. It’s about more than money; it’s about influencing others in a way that will outlast our lives.
Every man will do this; the only question is what kind of legacy we will leave behind.
That’s what we’ll explore this week. I don’t want to be a man like King Jehoram of Judah, who left a negative legacy. I want to be someone who leaves a lasting, positive legacy that points to God and His faithfulness, and that makes a difference for generations after I’m gone.
“You are a person of historic significance,” write Ray and Jani Ortlund. “You live in a much bigger space and time than you think, bearing a much larger capacity for influence than you may realize.”[1]
Decades from now, long after you’re gone, people will remember you. Not everyone, of course, but those who were closest to you. They will remember how you lived your life, and how you shaped who they’ve become. You will leave a legacy behind, and with God’s help, we can live in such a way that it’s a good and enduring one.
We’re going to talk about how we can be men who do that this week.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see that I have more influence on others than I realize. And help me to use that influence for Your glory. Amen.
Reflection: Who has left a lasting positive impact on your life? How did they do it?
[1] Ray Ortlund and Jani Ortlund, To the Tenth Generation (Brentwood, TN: B&H Publishing, 2024), 3.
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commission from qualifying purchases on Amazon.ca. Learn more.
Copyright © 2026 Impactus. All rights reserved.
About
