Devotions By Jan

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!

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.

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!