Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: July 2020


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In His Hands

Scripture for Today: Scripture for Today:  John 10:28-29  “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from My Father’s hand.”

What a beautiful picture of love, care and protection for the most vulnerable; a little baby!  Those strong hands cradle and soothe this little one to sleep and that peaceful smile is a trusting one.  There are no disturbing thoughts of approaching waves suddenly coming up from behind to snatch him from those hands.

Today’s verse describe God’s hands as being more powerful than any others.  Although God is spirit (John 4:24) the Bible is full of references to God’s eyes, arms or hands to help us understand Him.  There can be no sudden sneaky move on the part of the enemy that can snatch us out of His hand.  Those who belong to Him are held safe and secure in the same hands that formed the universe.  His are the hands that stilled the waters and calmed the seas.  Those hands heal with a touch.  And His hands are scarred with the proof of His love.

There is nothing I can do that would cause Him to let me go.  My faith in Him put me there.  But it is His power that keeps me there.  His are hands that I can trust and He will not let me go.  My life and all of my tomorrows are in His hands, but more than that my eternity is in His hands!  If life is suddenly cut short, those same hands will gently and lovingly bring me into His very presence.  His hands are beautiful.

Lord, help me to be aware of Your loving hands today.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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Reminders

Scripture for Today: Numbers 15:39 “You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.”

It seems an odd thing to do; trying a string around one’s finger so as to remember something later.  It is actually thought that your sense of touch on the index fingers are the ones with the quickest connections routed directly to the hippocampus, that part of the brain responsible for memory.  At least, I seem to remember reading something about this!

Today’s verse was a command from the Lord to the Israelites through Moses.  Tassels on their clothes were to serve as visual reminders to be obedient to God’s commands.  They were to be sewn on the corners of their garments and have a blue thread.  It makes sense that all thoughts of obedience to God’s standards can quickly slip the mind while experiencing strong temptation!  Perhaps, seeing those tassels served as a splash of cold water, reminding the Israelites of their commitment to God when enticed to chase after lustful acts or thoughts.

I need reminders every day of God’s holy and unchanging standards.  It is too easy for me to rationalize my thoughts and behavior when surrounded by a permissive culture.  I am constantly bombarded with different standards which are much more attractive and easy to follow.  Better than a string around my finger or a tassel, I have God’s Word to reorient my thinking.  Waiting until I am faced with temptation is not the time to be pulling out my Bible.  I need to hide His Word in my heart ahead of time in order to remain resolute (Ps. 119:11).

Lord, keep me obedient to You today.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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Arundel Tomb

Scripture for Today: Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

I walked right past these amazing effigies at the Chichester Cathedral in England, not realizing I was related!  Meet Eleanor of Lancaster, my 18th Great Grand Aunt!  She was the great granddaughter of King Henry the III and is dressed as a noblewoman with gown, veil and wimple.  Beside her lies her husband Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, dressed in the armor of a knight.  They have been holding hands since 1376!  Their sweet posture inspired a poem by Philip Larkin called, “An Arundel Tomb” in which the poet declares, “What will survive of us is love.”

Today’s verse describes a love that will truly endure forever.  The Lord is good which means His love is a faithful love unlike any other; a love that will endure the test of time.  His love continues through all generations and into eternity!  It does not stop at the grave.  As beautiful as romantic love can be, it does not even compare to His incredible unconditional love for us!  No other love is as wide, long, high or deep as His love (Eph.3:18).

My problem is believing it.  Oh, I believe God’s love is true in principle.  But to really grasp that His love is always there, always deep, and always faithful can be a struggle.  The failings of human love cloud my understanding.  But His love never disappoints.  Its intensity never fluctuates.  When I am just not feeling it, He waits to reassure me through His Word.  He cared enough to write it down.  And He reassures my heart by pouring into it His love through His Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

Lord, reassure me of Your love today.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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A Scorpion’s Sting

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

I hope I am never stung by this disgusting creature or any variety of scorpion!  But the Indian Red Scorpion is said to have the most lethal sting.  One could die if not treated within 72 hours of being stung.  They are quite hardy and can live up to a year without food or water.  Because they are very sensitive to light, they stay hidden during the day and only come out at night.  One good thing about them is that they can glow in the dark!

Today’s verse describes death as a “sting.”  Death will no longer have the victory when the mortal is changed into immortality (verse 54) and the perishable becomes imperishable.  Death seems to have the victory for now, but in fact, Christ’s empty grave means that death has been swallowed up in victory!  The venom of that grief is no longer lethal as we look to the life to come.  We share in Christ’s victory over death.  We have hope that death is not the end as we look to the One who conquered and defeated death forever!

The news is disturbing as I hear of senseless and violent death.  I can feel overwhelmed with news of terminal cancer in friends and loved ones.  Yet, as much as I grieve, I can grieve with hope, knowing that for the believer, He has promised that the very best is ahead of me.  Because of what Christ did on the cross, death and evil do not win.  No despair can erase this truth.  No tragedy nullifies my hope.  In Christ alone, there is “No guilt in life, no fear in death; This is the power of Christ in me.”

Thank you Lord, that my hope means death no longer stings.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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Yield Sign

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

It looks complicated.  I would have to stop a minute to figure out who would have to yield to whom!  It looks as if the bike has to yield to everyone and the horse and rider to no one!  But I do not suppose there are many intersections to worry about on this trail.  If there were confusion I would think common sense would go a long way.  Regardless, yielding is often the safest choice.  When maneuvering through those huge traffic circles in Europe, I do not argue with a yield sign!

Today’s verse tells us we are to yield or submit to the Lord in each and every way we choose to take.  By acknowledging His control, His superior knowledge and His goodness, we travel a path much less complicated by twists and turns.  He makes our paths straight, unencumbered by lengthy unnecessary detours.  We reach our destination in good time, or in His time.  When we give way to Him rather than insisting on our own plan, we find He had a better idea all along!

Yielding my will to His is so often a struggle.  Even knowing that my own understanding is limited, I stubbornly resist.  I like being the one who makes the decisions.  Trusting Him with all my heart is scary without having some measure of control.  But He promises that when I do, He will make my paths straight, choosing the best way.  No time will be lost in making U turns or encountering dead ends.

Thank you Lord, that I can fully trust Your heart of love for me!

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)