³ Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?

It was June 6, 1944. The world got a chance to see the love that was given on D-day. The battle of Omaha Beach was the scene where allied troops joined together to fight against Nazi Germany. In that battle the Germans had a plan to use the high cliffs to build its fortified fortress against the Allied Armies.

As our troops hit that beach head, they came against enemy fire. Bullets and army artillery were blazing all around them. They did not retreat. They did not quit. The did not run from the barrage of bullets. Instead, they kept pressing forward and toward the hot zone.

What made them do it? It was motivated by a deep longing within each man. They loved, so they gave. Their instincts of protecting and persevering were ingrained in their minds. I cannot help but think that for many their most precious thoughts were about family.

The Bible says in John 15:13, there is no greater love that to lay down one’s own life for one’s friends. Two things jump out at me in this verse – love and friends.

Here are my thoughts: Jesus loved us all so much to the point of calling us friends! See it? This jumped off the page for me. I am a friend of Jesus. Scripture says so. It is a promise.

I also think there is a flip side to this Scripture for us today. Do we love Jesus so much that we will lay down our everyday lives for him? If that is our heart, it is vital to be battle ready.

In order to do that, it will require time in reading the Bible. It will will require having a prayer life. It will require placing yourself with men who love Jesus, brothers in Christ. Be battle ready. Prepare for the battles of life. 

Strength and Courage

Michael