Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: May 2017


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The Earthworm

Scripture for Today: Psalm 22:6 “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.”

Earthworms are disgusting whatever their size!  But this one is small compared to the one discovered in South Africa at twenty-two feet!  There are 2,700 different kinds of this slimy creature but their role in nature is amazing.   They till and aerate the soil, making it more fertile.  They have no lungs, breathing through their moist skin.  There is no love lost for the worm on my part, but they have love to spare having no fewer than five hearts!  And of course, fish love the taste of a fat worm!

Today’s verse sees King David in a pity party.  He feels as lowly as the worm, scorned, and despised by the very people he serves.  He is insulted and mocked and the people shook their heads at him.  Like Christ would later experience on the cross, David felt abandoned and forsaken by God.  But the pity party is short-lived as David turns his troubling thoughts into a plea for strength, deliverance and rescue (verses 19-21).  David begins this psalm feeling like a worm but then realizes that God has not despised or scorned him (verse 24).

I remember singing as a child the Worm Song; “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me.  Guess I’ll go eat worms…”  I have not felt sorry enough for myself to resort to eating worms, but I can relate to what David was feeling.  When I feel misunderstood or ill treated, I can easily fall into that unhappy “poor me” state.  How gracious the Lord is to care and lift my head (Ps. 3:3).  His love for me is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 103:17) and remembering that changes everything!

Thank you Lord, that Your love lifts me up!


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Cripple Creek

Scripture for Today: Luke 8:14 “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they did not mature.”

What a funny name for a town!  Cripple Creek in Colorado used to be a thriving gold camp producing more than four million dollars in gold.  At its zenith Cripple Creek boasted over 35,000 inhabitants.  Now, despite the eighteen casinos built in the nineties, the population has dwindled to only 1,500.  This historical site attracts tourists with its gold mine tours and guided train rides.  But how sad it is to see the clusters of empty buildings, deserted homes and abandoned mines.

Today’s verse describes the growth of a seed being choked by thorns.  These thorns represent life’s worries, riches and pleasures.  What started out with anticipation and optimism ended with disappointment.  There was promise of growth with a small seedling, but the thorns took over and choked out any life.  The one who hears God’s Word is that seed, but he is distracted by the cares and anxieties of everyday living.  He abandons any thought of God and instead makes riches and pleasure his priority.  Before long, that growth and potential is crippled.

I understand that hearing God’s Word makes me grow.  But I am so easily distracted from actually sitting down to listen, read and study.  There is always something else I could be doing.  However, the biggest danger for me is feeling self-sufficient with a comfortable easy life, forgetting my need to hear from Him.  I become too busy maintaining all that I have accumulated.  And the busier I am with an active social life, the easier it is to ignore what feeds my soul!

Lord, keep me in Your Word, thriving and growing.


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Impatiens

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

I tried growing Impatiens in our long narrow yard while living in Grenoble, France.  They seemed to really thrive in the climate and soil.  But I eventually gave up as our rabbit kept thinking they were his lunch!  This flower is said to be a symbol of motherly love as they easily release and scatter their seed at the slightest touch.  It certainly is not indicative of motherly love with its other names; “touch-me-not” and “snapweed.”

Today’s verse would be great on the wall of every family room!  Somehow, the standards in this verse are especially difficult to live out with those closest to us.  Within those four walls we feel free to speak our mind without any filters.  We allow ourselves to snap at others or use our words to distance ourselves from those around us.  However, the standard for our words is that they be helpful and beneficial to those listening.  And we are to build up and encourage others in a way that speaks to their needs.

More often than not, my words are expressed according to my need to say them.  I often am unaware or uncaring as to the needs of the listener.  But with that attitude the conversation is usually cut short.  If my words are not building up they are perhaps subtly tearing down.  How much does it really cost me to compliment or encourage?  I want my words to be gracious,  sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Prov. 16:24).  I want my words to be like His; kind, compassionate and forgiving (verse 32).

Lord, make my words as gracious as Yours.

 


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Shamefaced!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

Can dogs feel shame or guilt?  Looking at this image one would think so.  But a number of studies have found that dogs do not feel or display guilt.  I am positive that a number of dog owners would disagree.  However, scientists believe it is too complex a reaction and it is just not how their brains work.  What seems to be a guilty look happens with scolding or questioning from an angry owner.  The dog is simply reacting to the owner’s behavior, tone of voice and gestures.

Today’s verse describes a face that is not covered with shame.  In fact, there is radiance in place of shame.  When looking to a righteous, perfect God, it would be natural to feel shame for our sin.  One’s first reaction would be to cover one’s face in the blinding light of His holiness!  But for those who fear the Lord and belong to Him, there is no more shame.  In His grace, He has paid for all our sin and shame with the sacrifice of His Son.  No one who trusts in Him will be condemned or held guilty (verse 22).

Because He has erased my sin and shame, I can look to Him and be radiant!  No longer will I blush for my past sins.  He has removed my sin and guilt as far as the east is from the west! (Psalm 103:12)  He has said that my sin He will remember no more (Heb. 10:17).  Any shame felt with my memories is not from Him.  I am in Christ (Romans 8:1) and no longer condemned.  The Lord not only took away my sin, but the shame of it all as well.

Thank you, Lord, that my face can be radiant with Your forgiveness!


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Closet Fail!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

This happened!  My husband came into the kitchen with the strangest crestfallen look on his face to break the news.  The closet rods had given up after valiantly trying to support too much weight.  Not only had everything fallen but the closet doors would not open being blocked from the carnage inside!  We had already reinforced the closet rod, but it could not bear the weight of all my good deals!  With the new closet system in place, I vowed to myself to be more reasonable about the amount of clothes I could wear in a lifetime!

Today’s verse talks about two more items of clothing that every closet, no matter how overcrowded, should include: strength and dignity.  This verse is part of the well-known passage describing a wife of “noble character.”  She herself is clothed in fine linen and purple (vs.  22) but she knows that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting (vs. 30).  However, being clothed with strength and dignity is something that will allow her to laugh at the days to come and have confidence in facing her future.

No piece of clothing, regardless of brand or cost, will ever give me strength and dignity.  The Lord is my strength and it is through Him that I can do all things (Phil. 4:13).  He gives me the power I need to endure and the strength of resolve to persevere in the hard times.  I am so thankful that His strength and power even show themselves through my weakness (II Cor. 12:9).  And dignity?  That also comes from Him and being His child.  He has crowned me with glory and honor (Heb. 2:7).

Lord, I need Your strength and dignity today!