Scripture for Today: Revelation 3:12  “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never again will they leave it.  I will write on them the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem……and I will also write on them My new name.”

Today marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  On this day, roughly 160,000 Allied soldiers landed on the Normandy beaches of France in 1944.  The cost in loss of life was high, but the stakes were high as well.  This important day marked the beginning of the end of German occupation in France.

The sandy beaches of the region sometimes turn up the dog tags worn by fallen soldiers.  Touching stories relate the return of some of them to veterans and their families.  These dog tags are more than just an heirloom or a piece of war memorabilia.  They are a piece of family history giving new insights into the past.  On that tag was marked the name, the military identification number, the blood type, and the religion of the soldier.

Our verse for today teaches that one day, believers will be “wearing” three names that will identify us.  The meaning here seems to be symbolic.  Those who are victorious and enduring to the very end will bear three names.  The name of God will show that we belong to Him forever.  The name of God’s city will show that we are citizens.  And His own new name will indicate our special relationship with Christ.

How reassuring to know that we will remain in His presence forever!  There is no way to misplace this “tag” and be lost.  Thank you Lord, for loving me enough to identify me as Your very own for all eternity!

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

I would love to buy an antique mirror from France before moving.  It would be a classy remembrance of my years here but would also serve to enlarge a small living room.  The one pictured here is said to be from a French chateau in the 1800’s.  A true antique mirror will be made of mercury glass.  This would be glass blown with a double wall then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution, then sealed.  Regardless of the method of fabrication, the mirror is limited in giving one a true and accurate reflection.

Our verse for today expresses this same thought.  The mirrors used in biblical times were much less accurate.  They were made of polished metal, probably bronze.  This poor reflection is an image of our very limited understanding of the Lord.  We will not truly see Him as He is until we are with Him.  It will then be a knowledge that is similar to how the Lord sees us now and knows us intimately!

One day I will see Him face to face!  What a thought!  Fanny Crosby, the renowned hymn writer, said that her consolation in being blind is that her first sight will be that of His dear face.  Will I recognize Him?  Will His face be familiar to me?  If I have listened to my heart that tells me to seek His face today (Psalm 27:8) then I will immediately know Him.

How I look forward to gazing on the wonder and splendor of His face!  Thank you Lord, for even a partial glimpse today.

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 26:15  “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.”

The slug is a disgusting creature.  It has to be part of the curse!  Surely, the new earth will have no such nastiness!  At least they move slowly enough that removing them is no problem, just very unpleasant.

My eldest daughter and her husband used to have a very lazy cat named, “Mrs. Hufflepuff.”  She would eat her fill of cat food then lay down, her paw resting in the the dish; the picture of laziness!

Our verse for today uses a similar image in the sluggard.  He is so lazy he cannot be bothered to lift his hand to his mouth, even to eat!  Proverbs has a lot to say about the one who is lazy.  He will sleep all day, would rather beg than work and any excuse, real or imagined, will keep him from leaving the house.  I would not be honest if I did not admit to sometimes feeling like a sluggard, most notably after a large meal!  There are those lazy moments when we are self-indulgent and quite frankly do not feel like lifting a finger!  Thankfully, those moments do not characterize my life!

Anyone who comes in faith to Christ will receive a new nature.  Lazy habits will be left behind with the old nature!  The Lord keeps me motivated to move, to work, and to advance towards goals.  He gives me purpose.  He gives me energy.  He keeps me balanced.  Serving and glorifying Him with my life leaves no room for laziness!

Lord, thank you for keeping me motivated!