Memento mori, a Latin phrase, is translated, “Remember you are mortal.” Historians believe the phrase was used in Rome when Julius Caesar returned after many years of fighting abroad. As the cavalcades of victory and the general himself paraded through the streets, a slave was behind Caesar repeating the words “Memento mori.” These words were a reminder to Caesar that his lofty highness could be brought to lowness at any moment.
Perhaps King Nebuchadnezzar should have had someone behind him, calling out those words: “Memento mori.” King Nebuchadnezzar had become great and influential, but he failed to acknowledge that all of his power was derived from God—the One who truly possesses all power. God reminded the king, however, that he was only human. He caused him to have a dream that gave him great anxiety and terror (Daniel 4:5). Because the king couldn’t understand the dream, he summoned all the wise men of Babylon to see if they could interpret his strange vision. They couldn’t, so Daniel, who served the Lord, told him the meaning. God would humble the proud king until he acknowledged that only God was sovereign over all kingdoms. He advised the king to renounce his pride.
Then, a year later—while Nebuchadnezzar was basking and boasting in his own majesty—God humbled him with a form of insanity. It was only when the king acknowledged and praised God as the Sovereign Lord that his sanity and humanity were restored (Daniel 4:37).
When we feel powerful, may we hear the Spirit whisper to us “Memento mori.” Let’s lift our eyes to heaven, praising, honoring, and glorifying the Most High as the One who lives forever. For We are most human when we boast in the sovereign God.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 22:1-14
More:
Read James 4:13-17 to view another example of foolish boasting and arrogant pride.
Next:
When has God reminded you that you are mortal and He is the Sovereign One? Think about God—who He is and what He has done. What praise will you bring Him today?
eppistle on September 3, 2011 at 8:45 am
It’s hard not to be impressed with ourselves. But when we gloat over our success, we fail to remember how much of our success was due to circumstances beyond our control – where and to whom we were born, genetics that give us a propensity toward certain skills and behavior, and people who invested in our lives. Ultimately every good gift is actually a gift from God (James 1:17). So if received these things from God, why do we boast as if we had not (I Corinthians 4:7)? Instead, success should always lead to heartfelt gratitude and sacrificial servitude. The successful fool is engrossed in himself like Narcissus and Nebuchadnezzar. The successful sage gives himself away like Jesus. Pride leads to the fall of the former (Proverbs 16:18). Humility leads to the exaltation of the latter (James 4:10). Is your success causing you to love God and others more? If not, your success has been a failure.
marvin williams on September 3, 2011 at 9:27 am
eppistle, thanks for adding your voice to this sobering subject. Great comments. When I get full of myself or start smelling myself (that’s what my mother used to call it), I am reminded of what a man used to ask me after every service I preached – Are you thanking God for your gift? This question continues to haunt me and is a reminder that everything I have has been given to me. We are managers. May he find us faithful, humble and always quickly giving him credit for everything we have and enjoy. Blessings!
GChoo on September 3, 2011 at 9:53 am
Marvin, thank you for your reminder.
Recently there was a news about one very weathly airline tycoon whose big guest mansion on an island was burnt down having been struck by lightning. Thankfully the 20 people in the house were safe. It is definitely a big moment of shock and feeling of helplessness to witness such a dramatic scene from another house the host was sleeping in. I am sure that the host and his guests would realise how fortunate they have had been and hopefully be humbled by it. When i read about it, it truly made me believe that however healthy, powerful and well-off we can be, we can never control everything except through the protection of our Gracious and Protector God, our Maker.
Yes, we need to constantly remind ourselves ‘Memento mori’ and to praise and stay close to our Sovereign God.
marvin williams on September 3, 2011 at 10:26 am
GChoo, you are so right. Money, power, prestige and definitely self-competent pride cannot protect us from life. We must daily submit, as you mentioned, our lives to God’s sovereign care. He sometimes protects from harm and suffering, sometimes he humbles us through harm and suffering, and sometimes he teaches us through harm and suffering. Either way, God is in control. Thanks for adding your voice here.
winn collier on September 3, 2011 at 4:29 pm
marvin, I had a guy I went to college with commit suicide last week. I wish he had remembered Memento mori and turned to God.
marvin williams on September 8, 2011 at 8:09 am
Winn, man, sorry to hear about your loss. Many do not believe this and many more will not accept this: to truly be human is recognizing, acknowledging and trusting the God who created us. Moreover, we are most human when we realize our need for another human being. I don’t know if he did, but I wish he had turned to another human being as well to help him through his dark moments. Again, sorry for the loss of your friend.
bearpair on September 4, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Good words, Marvin! Glad to have a meaning & context for those sage words from Roman days. I’m thinking of some pastors (aka “CEO’s”) of our churches would could probably benefit from this poignant illustration from Daniel’s day.
marvin williams on September 8, 2011 at 8:21 am
I think I need a man running behind me, reminding me of these words. It is so easy for all of us to slip into believing our own press clippings. Everyday we shower or wash our faces, washing dirt off us, is a reminder that we are but mortal. Let’s embrace our mortality and depend on the one who Eternal and Immortal. Thanks for adding your voice and your wisdom here. Blessings on you, bearpair.
marvin williams on September 8, 2011 at 8:17 am
Eduardo, you are spot on. Good works do not produce salvation, but they do prove salvation. As believers we sometimes tend to shy away from talking about good works because we believe people will depend on good deeds for salvation. Good works, along with love for each other and interdependence, are ways people will see Jesus at work in the world. Thanks for the reminder. Blessings!