Devotions By Jan


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Jello

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Jello leaves me feeling ambivalent.  On the one hand it is very versatile.  Anything and everything can go in it and it can take on so many forms and shapes.  On the other hand, it is slimy and unnaturally colored.  It wobbles and slithers and is usually too sweet for me.  The French as a rule do not want to even try it, so perhaps they have influenced me over the years.  Too many times, I have unmolded a jello only to have it not be firm enough to hold the shape!

Our verse for today promises strength, firmness and steadfastness.  It is a promise directed to those who are called by God’s grace and belong to Him.  This promise is always needed but especially so after going through a time of suffering.  I am not firm and steadfast in the middle of trial.  I am like that jello, all wobbly and ready to slide off the plate.  No one stands strong when their legs feel like jello!

The suffering we go through is usually unexplainable.  The only thing I know with certainty is that it is unavoidable.  My comfort is that God uses it.  The pain is never wasted.  It is through suffering that I draw closer to the Lord and learn to love Him more.  Sometimes my suffering is used to encourage others.  In any case, it is to be counted a privilege to suffer for Him as He suffered so much for me!

What comfort to know that He personally restores me and renews my strength!  Thank you, Lord.

 


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Robbed!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 61:8 “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbing and wrongdoing. In My faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.”

The nerve of this seagull stealing cake at my grandson’s birthday party!  He was persistent, returning every time we moved away!  The seagull is known for its scavenger habits.  These “garbage men with wings” like to hang around fishing boats, picnic grounds, and parking lots.  Most of the time they do us a service but this one had gone too far!

Today’s verse reveals God’s very character.  He hates robbery and wrongdoing and He loves justice.  Because He feels so strongly on the subject, He uses His power to right those wrongs.  He is faithful and just (I John 1:9) and will deal with all sin.  In His grace He rewards His people with promises of salvation and vengeance for wrong done against us.

I am not unique in living with injustice.  We all live with injustice at some point of our lives.  We all have stories of being robbed, defrauded or victimized.  I am grateful for courts of law that mete out some justice.  But it is never perfectly done and many times, robberies among acquaintances or family members never appear in courts.  Thank God He is just.  Thank God He is faithful to eventually punish and reward according to His perfect justice!  He has promised to avenge and repay (Rom. 12:19) and He will do it perfectly.  Rather than let anger consume me at something unfair, I can have confidence that God will take care of it.

Thank you Lord, that reminders of Your perfect justice calm me down and comfort my heart.