“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17 NIV
Mallory led me to her little wading pool after she had basked in the sun in contentment. She stuck her nose in even though she could tell it was empty. She had been hoping for a cool, refreshing romp and only found dry, hot plastic. In disappointment, she wandered off, searching for shade.
People in ancient Rome called the hottest, most humid days of summer, “dog days”. During the hot days of summer, the Sun shares the same region of the sky as Sirius, which is the brightest star visible from Earth. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, which means large dog or greater dog.
However the phrase came into being, the dog days of summer doesn’t sound enjoyable. Nor does the tribulation spoke of in Revelation. In Revelation 7, John writes of those who have made it through the great tribulation. Verse 14 and 15 tells us they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Now they are before God’s throne serving him day and night and God is protecting them with his presence so they will never experience tribulation again.
It says they will never hunger or thirst and the sun will not beat down on them nor any scorching heat. The Lamb will shepherd and lead them to living water. God himself will wipe away any tears. No dog days of summer for these overcomers.
We, too, are overcomers in Christ Jesus our Lord. I John 5:4-5 tells us, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
As overcomers, we can enjoy the dog days of summer. There won’t be any dry, empty pools for us but he promises streams of living water. Even though the sun might beat down on us and the heat is scorching, God’s presence will protect us. We will never hunger and thirst as long as we hunger and thirst for his righteousness. Put him first, pull out those sunglasses, and enjoy each and every day with Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12).
LISTEN TO OVERCOMER BELOW
Just Another Dog Devotion 