Devotions By Jan

Monthly Archives: May 2024


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Wayfarers Chapel Slipping Away

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:18 “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.”

This beautiful chapel, dedicated in 1951, sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Constructed of stone and glass, it nestles among the surrounding redwoods of Rancho Palos Verdes. It has long been the site of many baptisms, memorials and weddings. This incredible airy structure is also called the “Glass Church.” Unfortunately, it has now closed due to increasingly shifting ground. The structure will be dismantled and moved elsewhere because the earth has been so unstable. Those continuing landslides put the chapel at risk of slipping away.

Today’s verse has the author feeling as if he were slipping. Standing up against the wicked is exhausting and continuous. The wicked are even boasting that the Lord does not see or take notice. The psalmist is waiting for the Lord to execute His righteous judgement against them. But in the meantime he cries out for the Lord’s help (verse 17). God’s response is to reassure him of His unfailing love and presence. This knowledge holds him up and allows him to stand firm.

The shifting values of today’s world make the ground feel very unsteady under the feet. The greed and manipulation of world leaders affect entire populations. Like the psalmist I can feel like it takes more and more effort to stand firm in my faith in God’s righteous coming judgement. But His love is unfailing and holds me up. My foot does not slip when as my Rock He gives me a firm place to stand. (Ps. 40:2) And I stand on the truth of His Word and His promises!.

Thank you Lord, that Your unfailing love holds me up!


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The Pretzel

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

While living in Alsace, France just over the border from Germany, we enjoyed all kinds of pretzels. They could be hard or soft, sweet or savory. And they came in all different sizes. The pretzel dates back at least to the early Middle Ages as the Baker’s coat of arms. But legend has it that they were created by an Italian monk in 610AD as a reward for young children learning their prayers. The strips of dough are thought to resemble the crossed arms of praying children!

Today’s verse encourages the Lord’s people to pray. All kinds of Spirit-led prayers are encouraged. And on all occasions. Is there ever an occasion where a private prayer between our Heavenly Father and His child is not appropriate? A child’s prayer may not be eloquent and a new believer’s prayer may not include all the church vocabulary we are used to hearing. But the Lord hears the heart. He wants to hear all our prayers and requests, especially those lifted up for His people. In spiritual battle we all need the prayers of other believers to stand firm!

Who do you pray for the most often or the most fervently? I would have to answer that question with, “myself.” I pray often for others but sometimes more often for my own pressing needs! Perhaps that is normal but maybe my own needs would not feel so pressing when focusing on the needs of others around me. Pain and difficulties are part of every life but seeing what other believers are going through will put my own problems in perspective.

Lord, put on my heart those You want me to pray for today.


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Fountain Leak

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

There are all kinds of leaks; roof leaks, slab leaks or shower leaks. Some leaks escape detection and wreak all kinds of havoc being unnoticed. But a fountain leak such as the one pictured is pretty obvious. Water is wasted, flooding the concrete and lowering the water levels. If not repaired, the levels can get dangerously low with the pump not having enough water to circulate. In this case the problem was with the material used in installation. The workers used the wrong type of seal and the problem was immediately evident!

Today’s verse reassures the believer that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit all the way up to the final day when we will be forever in His presence! This seal does not fail us. There is no better seal than His mighty power to save and to keep us safely in His hand. (John 10:28) However, when we knowingly sin we are grieving the One who loves us with an everlasting love. Just as a parent can be disappointed with the wrong choices of their child, so the Holy Spirit is sad when we make a sinful decision. But unlike the fountain, His seal will always hold firm because of His unconditional commitment to His own.

Rather than presume on this security I enjoy, I want to be obedient out of love and gratitude. I show my love to the Lord not by pushing the limits but by seeking to please Him. This is a love relationship full of expectations on His part. And there is incredible blessing for me when I obey and meet those expectations. Being sealed by Him means I am forever His. I can love and obey Him without fear, looking forward to that future day when grieving Him will be a thing of the past and I can enjoy Him forever!

Thank you Lord, that You have sealed me forever as Yours.


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Meerkats

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 7:12 “Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.”

These meerkats might be more recognizable standing up on their haunches, looking out for predators. Or maybe Timon the meerkat from The Lion King comes to mind. In any case, they are very often seen digging in the dirt. In fact, they could be considered as nature’s little excavators. Even as young pups they seem to instinctively know to dig. Their burrow and elaborate labyrinth of tunnels are their shelters from predators and from inclement weather. Inside they feel safe and protected in their shelter.

Today’s verse describes something as a shelter that we do not normally consider: wisdom. We do look at tax shelters, retirement savings and expensive insurance as a shelter. And of course, money squirreled away is a kind of shelter but according to this verse, it can fall short. In the end, money cannot preserve life. Wisdom however does. And this wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, living a life of obedience to Him. (Prov. 9:10) Life is preserved when not inviting into our days the natural consequences of sin!

When looking around me there seem to be many who live with every kind of monetary advantage. But the true advantage is a life lived connected to the Source of wisdom, Christ the wisdom of God. (I Cor. 1:30) The Lord is my wisdom and it is He that preserves my life. He is my shelter. I run to Him when worry threatens to overwhelm me. I run to this shelter when I see an uncertain future. The Lord invites me to shelter in Him when looking for the peace I so desperately need! Money and a life of ease can never give me this advantage!

Thank you Lord for being my wisdom and shelter.