Devotions By Jan


by Leave a comment

Bowing to a Killer Whale

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 33:3 “Surely it is You who love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand. At Your feet they all bow down, and from You receive instruction.”

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Female_bowing_to_whale.jpg

How odd to see this woman bowing with respect to a killer whale. My body language when encountering a killer whale was not so much respect as fear! Years ago I was volunteered to be kissed by one of these amazing creatures at a water park! I wondered if the audience saw my shaking as I waited for this majestic creature to rise up out of the water to smack me on the cheek!

Today’s verse describes a bow to One who is so much more worthy than any creation of His. This bow is done in worship and does not stop at the waist. Those showing reverence to the God of the universe bow all the way down to His feet in abject humility. Our posture before His majesty is one that is self-abasing and glorifying to Him. He is worthy of this worship for many reasons but in this verse He is bowed to for His love and instruction. He loves and holds His own in His mighty and powerful hand!

One day I will physically bow to Him in His presence. One day everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will do the same (Phil. 2:10).  For some it will be under compulsion. But for those who have placed their trust in Jesus, it will be a continuation of our worship here on earth. The challenge for me here and now is whether I can bow my will to His in humble submission. He is my Lord and my King.

Thank you Lord, for giving me every reason to bow my will to Yours!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2018)


by Leave a comment

“She”

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:13-14 “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

Isn’t it funny how we will assign gender to inanimate objects? Of course, in French and other languages, every noun is either masculine or feminine. And often the logic behind it escapes me! But ships in English are often referred to as “she.”  Perhaps the female figurehead used on old sailing ships was the inspiration! She was thought to embody the spirit of the ship and provide protection and safe passage.

Today’s verses describe wisdom as a “she”. Those who find her lead lives that are blessed, given value that far exceeds gold or silver. This heavenly wisdom is described as pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:15) Perhaps some of these qualities seem more feminine than masculine.

I am glad wisdom is described as a “she” but I am not so sure it describes me! It does describe Christ though in whom are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom.” (Col. 2:3)  Any wisdom exemplified in me is because of Him! How precious He is! And how good He is to freely offer His wisdom to all who will ask Him in faith. (James 1:5)

Thank you Lord for the treasure of Your wisdom!


by Leave a comment

Follow the Arrow!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:1-2 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I will trust.'”

As I was walking the streets of Metz in Northern France, I was intrigued to see this giant arrow painted on the side of this building! If it had been 1944, German bombs may have been dropping and this arrow would have directed me to a shelter. In fact, thousands of home owners were mandated by the city government to open their garage/cellars to any passerby caught outside during a raid. Today, close to 100 of these arrows still exist, serving as a silent reminder of those desperate rushes for shelter.

Today’s verse pictures God, the Almighty One, as a shelter. He is the Most High with nothing and no one higher and more powerful than He is. His very presence is a place of refuge and protection. We are not told we will be removed from the conflict or storm. But we are promised that when we run to Him, He will shield us and be our security. It is as if He is our buffer, lessening the impact of what we are experiencing. In that place of total trust, He gives a peace that defies understanding! (Phil. 4:7)

In those intense moments of fear and anxiety, I need something as obvious as that huge arrow! Rather than running around in circles I need to run to Him. His arms are open and ready to comfort and protect. He doesn’t ask me to come to Him when I have calmed down first. He doesn’t reprimand me when I come to Him in a panic. He doesn’t wait until I have my act together first. He is ready and willing to give me the reassurance of His power. It is in the shelter of His presence that I calm down and my breathing slows.

Thank you Lord, for rewarding my trust in You.


by 2 Comments

Eyes Everywhere!

Scripture for Today: II Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…”

It is not a very comfortable feeling to know you are being watched. Of course, these cameras on public streets can be a reassurance that the bad guy, the driver at fault or the carjacker can be caught. But there is plenty of controversy surrounding privacy issues!

Today’s verse describes another kind of surveillance. The eyes of the Lord are looking throughout the earth. He is looking for hearts that are fully committed to Him so that He can strengthen them. The context is war and though the people were outnumbered, God saw their hearts and that they relied on Him. Because of that, He strengthened them and gave them victory.

God’s eyes are watching me to see if my heart is fully His. That is a surveillance I welcome. But there are other eyes watching too. My enemy the devil is prowling around like a lion, looking and looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8) He is looking for the weak and uncommitted heart. No one wants that kind of surveillance! But as my heart belongs fully to the Lord, I do not have to worry about that pair of eyes. God has already secured the victory for me!

Thank you Lord, that You are my El Roi, the God Who Sees!


by Leave a comment

Pied Crow

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:16b “…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

At first glance this bird could be mistaken for a magpie. The Pied Crow is a 20 inch-tall-resident of Ghana. Called “pied” for having two colors, he is smart with the cognitive equivalent of a 5-7 year old! It is considered bad luck when he and his friends gather on someone’s roof. The myth says that someone inside will soon die!

Today’s verse reminds us that the number of days we live on this earth is not a random number. Before our eyes ever saw the light of day, the length of our lives was already ordained by our Creator. The number of days is even written down, assuring us not only that God is in control but that He is not capricious. He has a plan and purpose in all He does.

How wonderful to know that my homegoing is a planned event that He considers “precious!” (Ps. 116:15) I can live without worry or fear about what the end of days may look like. Just as He has been faithful throughout my life, so He will be faithful in that last step over the threshold of Heaven!

Thank you Lord that I can live life with confidence in Your plan!