Dec 26

Recorded within every human being is a record of what that person has done and thought during his or her life. The mechanism for accurate judgment is already in place. All God has to do is open the books.

And that is precisely what Scripture says will happen on the great day of judgment, when the play is over and the Author has stepped onto the stage of this world for all to see, and all the actors must step forward to be judged for the role they played, villain or hero, bad or good.

"I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, AND BOOKS WERE OPENED" (Rev. 20:12).

"Books were opened . . ." Our lives are a book written out a day and chapter at a time -- a book that others see and read each day as well. When the final day of days comes, God will do the same.

Presently, in this life, we can read only a portion of each person's book, that portion he or she openly presents to us. Sometimes we sense that there is more to them than we see and that they are hiding something from us, but we cannot normally see beyond the surfact text presented to us. Hidden within the depths of each person's soul are secrets that are not available to others to read:

"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy" (Prov. 14:10).

At the great judgment, however, all this ends. No longer will anything be hidden; all will be revealed. This will bring great shame or else great joy.

Which will it be for you?

Scripture for today: Rev. 20:12
Thought for today: I should live my life as though God sees every detail -- for he does.
Prayer for today: Lord God, I ask you to so change my life and way of living for you that I will have nothing to be ashamed of when you open my book on that great day.

DEC 26