Listening In preview - Luis Palau

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Coming up next, a preview of Listening In. This week: a conversation with the late evangelist from Argentina, Luis Palau.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: After a three year struggle with cancer, Palau died last week in his home. He was 86.  

A feature length film about his life came out two years ago. In this excerpt of their conversation recorded shortly after its release, host Warren Smith asks Palau about finishing well.

WARREN SMITH: I often ask folks who are near the end of their life and careers this question: how do you want to be remembered? How do you want the world to remember Luis Palau when you’re gone 10, 20, 50 years if the Lord tarries?

LUIS PALAU: Well, I always used to say, not flippantly, but I hope my boys on my tombstone write, you know: my dad wasn’t perfect, but he sure loved Jesus Christ. You know, that’s what I hope that people would remember, that I loved Jesus Christ, because of what He did for me. 

And that’s what I would like, you know, just honor Jesus Christ, even on my tombstone, you know, that He, He has done so much for me. My life has been a blessing from beginning to end. All the promises of God are real. And therefore, I just would like my boys and grandchildren, and whoever else gets to remember, that Jesus Christ is the Lord. That He’s amazing. That he fulfills His promises, and that they are glorious. 

And I’ll give, I’ll leave you with this verse, which was a fresh one for me. 1 Samuel 22:31. And it’s also in Psalm 18. It says, as for God, His way is perfect. The word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. 

And you know, to me, that hit me so strongly. We know it, you know, we know from Scripture, but when it’s reality, the Lord, His way is perfect. I don’t understand why I got cancer, I don’t need to understand that. He’s my father. He loves me. He cared for me all these years. He’ll take care of me when I go over the river, over to the other side, you know. 

And so, to me, that verse should be engraved in every person’s mind. As for God, His way is perfect. Don’t question it. Don’t allow sincere people who challenge you or who say, hey, if you were walking with God, you wouldn’t be sick. Well, the Lord Jesus died at age 33. He wasn’t an old man. He was only 33 when the Lord finally ascended into heaven. So a long life is not necessarily a better life. So as for God, His way is perfect. I’m preaching at you Warren! [Laughter]

BROWN: That’s the late Luis Palau talking to Warren Smith. To hear their complete conversation, look for Listening In tomorrow wherever you get your podcasts.

(Photo/Associated Press, Elizabeth Dalziel) Luis Palau signs books in Beijing in 2006.

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