Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: September 2018


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Eiffel Tower?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

This reproduction of the famous Eiffel Tower sits at a round point down the street from us in the small town of Buhl, France.  No one would mistake it for its huge counterpart but I wondered why it was built there.  I learned that the Eiffel Tower could very well be called the Koechlin Tower as Maurice Koechlin, born in Buhl was the one who had designed it as an employee of Mr. Eiffel.  As this monument is said to be the most visited in the world, it is too bad that Koechlin did not get his name associated with the tower.

Today’s verse speaks of the name of the Lord as a different kind of tower, a fortified one.  His name represents all that He is and His character.  Running to Him as our tower of safety is an image of placing all our hope and faith in His power to protect and deliver.  This is in stark contrast to the rich who imagine that their wealth is a wall too high to scale (verse 19).

His name is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) and He has promised safety and protection from the wicked (Ps. 37:17).  When I run to Him, it is in faith, knowing that He will be true and faithful to His Word.  I am safe knowing that no evil can touch me without His knowledge and permission.  And certainly, no evil can touch my soul, that which I have committed to Him.  He is able to keep my soul against that day (II Tim. 1:12).  What comfort this is in a world where sometimes it seems that evil has the upper hand!

Thank you Lord, for being my safety and security!

 


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Black Sheep

Scripture for Today: Matthew 18:12 “What do you think? If a man own a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”

We enjoyed meeting our friend’s small herd of sheep in the German countryside.  I found it odd that most of them were black as normally they are more rare.  Back in the day, the black sheep was less valuable as their fleece could not be dyed.  Being the “black sheep” of the family could have been a phrase originating with this in mind, denoting a member who was worthless, or a non-conformist, wandering away from the group.

Today’s verse describes that individual sheep who unlike the rest of the herd, wanders off and goes his own way.  I love how the shepherd goes after that one who is different and does not conform to the behavior of the group.  To our Good Shepherd, each sheep is valuable and worthwhile.  The following verses describe the joy of the shepherd in finding that non-conformist sheep.  There may be disapproval and disdain from the other sheep, but to the Shepherd, there is unconditional love and acceptance!

How do I see my fleece?  Is it black or white and does it matter?  All are sheep and all have wandered off from the Shepherd (Is. 53:6).  How silly of me to think that I am any better or any worse than the other sheep around me.  I was lost and He cared enough to go after me and find me.  He has brought me into the fold as He has done with each of us who have responded to Him in faith.  We are all the same, in need of being found!

Lord, forgive my critical spirit when looking at other sheep.


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Chickens and the Compost Pile

II Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

A chicken is in “hog heaven” if he can work a compost pile.  Rather than being fed at a common trough where the food is already prepared and laid out, the chicken is happier when he can hunt and peck his own dinner!  He can scratch and search without fighting the others.  Sorting through the compost for those favored morsels is actually healthier for the chicken.  A friend of mine told me that his chickens prefer eating this way and it helps flatten the pile in just minutes!

Hearing my friend’s story, I could not help but think of today’s verse.  God’s Word is our spiritual food and we want to correctly handle it.  Whether we listen to a sermon or follow a well-thought out study guide, we want to ingest God’s Word for good spiritual health.  Just as newborn babies grow through milk, so we grow spiritually through the pure milk of his Word (I Peter 2:2-3).  But as we grow, we eat differently.  Not every meal needs to be pre-prepared.  God has given to us His Spirit to teach and guide us into His truth.  Nothing causes a growth spurt as much as the work of our own personal study!

I enjoy a good meaty sermon and appreciate all the hard work put into it.  There are a number of authors I enjoy and respect that help me dig into Scripture.  But somehow, when I find that treasure, that tasty morsel on my own, my faith is strengthened.  The Lord is giving me exactly what I needed when I needed it.

Thank you Lord, for rewarding my study with the tastiest morsels!

 


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Calling All Cows

Scripture for Today: John 10:4-5 “When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; in fact they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Seeing these cows on my walk reminded me of 30 black and white dairy cows in Normandy.  In 1943 their owner left them in a field as the Germans were advancing.  He was able to return for them but some French opportunists had taken them for their own.  They challenged my friend’s grandfather to prove the cows were his.  So he told them to call the cows over.  Of course, the cows just looked at those interlopers and did not budge.  But when the true owner called them, they all immediately got up and approached!

Today’s verse describes the same phenomenon but with sheep.  Jesus was addressing the Pharisees but they were not understanding His meaning.  Jesus then identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (verse 11 & 14).  Those that are His sheep know and recognize His voice and follow Him.

Not only is the Lord’s voice recognizable but He calls each sheep by name! (verse 3)  And when He speaks to me, I will know it is Him.  He will never say anything in opposition to what He has already said in His Word, the Bible.  His voice does not condemn as he has already laid down His life as payment for every sin.  His voice will never accuse or tear down.  His words are full of love, even when He says something difficult to hear.  His voice is soft and tender as He draws me closer to Himself.

Lord, let me hear Your voice today.


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Green Bean Tree?

Scripture for Today: Job 34:3-4 “For the ear tests words as the tongue tests food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.”

It looked so odd.  I had to get a closer look at this strange tree growing in Epinal, France.  No, of course these are not green beans but I bet I could have convinced my young grandsons that they were!  It is called a Catalpa Tree and is sometimes referred to as an Indian Bean Tree or Cigar Tree.  The burning question is always whether these pods can be eaten.  I am glad I did not try as the answer is, no!

Today’s verse records the advice of one of Job’s three friends.  Elihu was eager to help Job discover the reason for his troubles.  He had a lot to say but it was off the mark.  Certainly, we are to test what we hear and listen with discernment.  Just as we taste food to see if it has a pleasing flavor, so we “taste” what we hear to decide if it rings true.  The problem is that we all have differing taste buds.  What seems right and good to one can seem wrong and sour to another.  Our subjectivity can get in the way of finding absolute truth.

There was absolute truth in the answer to the question, “Are these pods edible?”  And God’s absolute truth does not depend on our subjective senses or how I feel on a given day.  Jesus calls Himself, “Truth.” (John 14:6)  Absolute unchanging truth is found in the Person of Jesus Christ, and is not affected by my perception or belief.  What a comfort in a world where truth is relative and up for grabs!

Thank you Lord, for the truth I find in You.