Devotions By Jan

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The Woodworking Plane

Scripture for Today: Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

Wood shop in high school was for the boys.  Perhaps it was just as well that I stayed away from those power tools and sharp instruments!  How the wood got to be so smooth, flat and level remained a mystery, only because I was too disinterested to find out.  But when my Dad took up woodworking as a hobby, he taught me to appreciate those smooth flawless surfaces and the effort it took to achieve.  The planer shaves off those high places in the wood, making the surface level.

Today’s verse reveals that God is continually working in us.  His goal is to mold our desires and actions to mirror His.  He has a purpose for this work and we can trust that it is a good purpose because He is good.  He is working to make us smooth and level by taking out the high places in us.  He is opposed to the proud (James 4:6) and will work to flatten those thoughts of superiority and self sufficiency.  The result is something beautiful that He can use!

Having my pride worked on hurts!  That blade is shaving off what does not belong.  It is humbling to be brought down to the right size.  He may use the reprimand of others.  He may use a miserable failure and allow me to fall flat on my face!  He often uses His Word to convict and point out areas that need flattening.  Whatever the case, it is not a comfortable experience.  But when it is all over, He gives favor to the one He has humbled.

Oh how I need Your favor today!  Lord, keep me smooth and humble.

 


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My Hero

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Having married a “Kent,” I have had my share of Superman jokes.  When naming our children, there was no question that we would avoid the name Clark or Lois!  But in fact, my husband is my hero if one counts admiration and respect!  He does not fly through the air and right all wrongs, but he is certainly a hero for putting up with me!

Today’s verse comes from a chapter referred to as a list of “heroes of the faith.”  These verses describe ordinary men and women who demonstrated tremendous faith in persevering, even when a promise was not fulfilled in their lifetime.  The criteria was not the recognition or accolades of men.  In fact, the world was not even worthy of them (verse 38).  But they are heroes because they never gave up their faith even while facing death.  Because of their faith, “God was not ashamed to be called their God” (verse 16).

There are many religious systems that require some kind of faith.  The idea of faith and spirituality is normally well received.  It is not until I refer to the object of my faith that I face opposition.  My faith is in a Person.  Not in my religion.  Not in my church.  And certainly not in my own efforts.  My faith in God and His Son, Jesus, exhibits itself in coming to Him repeatedly and earnestly seeking Him.  He rewards me by revealing Himself to me more and more.  And when I take Him at His Word, believe His promises and obey Him, I feel His pleasure.

“My faith has found a resting place,” and He is worthy.


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Handle With Care

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

I have done enough moves to know that having the label, “Fragile, Handle with Care,” slapped on a box is no guarantee that nothing will break!  Sometimes that box with its fragile contents will be upside down, on the bottom of a stack of boxes, or dropped by well-meaning neighbors.  At least my boxes are taped shut as well as labelled, color-coded and numbered.  Even so, there are always a few items that don’t make the journey in one piece.

Today’s verse reassures the believer that the Lord is willing and able to handle all our cares.  He understands that we are fragile and easily broken.  Our bodies are like clay jars, susceptible to cracking in pieces for a reason; so that the power we live our lives by is seen to be from God and not ourselves (II Cor. 4:7)  There is no shame in admitting that we are fragile and in need of gentle handling.  It is in recognizing our weakness that we avail ourselves of His power (II Cor. 12:9).

It takes some humility to admit my need of His care.  I can only give Him my anxieties and experience that care if I humble myself first (I Peter 5:6-7).  The Lord wants to show favor, lift up and sustain those who turn to Him.  But He waits to be asked.  He waits to be needed.  I am too prone to thinking I am just fine and not needing His power.  My pride keeps me from admitting any weakness or need for care.  Until something breaks.  He picks up the pieces and because He cares, He makes things right.

Thank you Lord, for Your precious care.


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Flat Footed

Scripture for Today: Luke 12:25 “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

Flat feet are no fun.  Not only do they cause feet to quickly tire, but they are also painful and can cause swelling on the inside bottom of the foot.  Flat feet can also cause back and leg pain.  To be “caught flat footed,” is an expression having little to do with the problem.  This saying, meaning “taken by surprise,” or “unprepared,” originated from baseball slang in 1912.  The idea was to be “on your toes,” and ready for anything.

My husband often expresses that he does not want to be caught flat footed.  I am blessed to be married to someone who thinks through possible consequences and plans for contingencies.  But life is full of surprises.  Today’s verse takes preparedness for the future to a different level.  How easy it is to slip into worry!  One cannot foresee and be ready for absolutely everything that may happen.  No matter how thorough, one can suddenly feel flat footed at an unexpected development.

I am glad the Lord does not have this problem.  He is never unprepared, knowing all from the beginning to the end.  Nothing surprises Him.  There is tremendous comfort in knowing He knows.  Worrying about what may happen drains me and adds nothing positive.  There is value in thinking through a problem but when it slips into worry somehow I am doubting God’s control and care.

When I feel the urge to worry I often imagine all kinds of unlikely scenarios.  It is during those times I need to remind myself that with God, nothing is impossible.  I can give over to Him all the “what if’s.”

Thank you Lord, that in giving it all to You I can experience peace rather than worry!

 

 

 

 

 


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Bent by the Wind

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:6 “I am bent over and greatly bowed down; I go about mourning all day long.”

So many of the trees at this beach on the island of Sardinia were bent over as a result of the strong winds.  It was almost impossible to walk through a grove of them and avoid running into their lowered branches.  Some of them were practically horizontal.  Only a few provided the shade we needed at the right height for our picnic.  Even so, they managed to keep growing, in spite of the buffeting from those strong gusts of wind.

Today’s verse talks about being bent over and bowed down as an image for guilt over sin.  David feels the seriousness of his failures so keenly that he mourns all throughout the day.  He describes the guilt he feels as a burden too heavy to bear (verse 4).  He feels that the guilt is even affecting his health when he says there is no soundness in his bones because of his sin (verse 3).  He calls his sin, “folly” (verse 5).

This is exactly what guilt feels like.  But this description is before David confesses (verse 18).  David ends the psalm with confidence in God’s help and forgiveness.  Those strong winds of guilt have him bowed down but he is still standing.  Perhaps David was a “man after God’s own heart” because he recognized the seriousness of his sin and was willing to completely humble himself.

I do not often have this kind of guilt.  It is not that I do not sin as much or as seriously as David.  But I think I am sometimes desensitized to it.  Or my pride just does not allow me to think that I am quite that bad, or that what I have done is so serious.

Lord, examine my heart today.