Devotions By Jan

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Fly Away

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 55:6  “…Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!  I would fly away and be at rest.”

The dove has long been the symbol of peace and love.  I love to see them used in a marriage ceremony.  Because doves mate for life, they are an especially poignant symbol of love.  The dove is a symbol of peace for the state of Wisconsin and it is the state bird for Michigan.  The French consider squab a delicacy.  It is quite popular in French traditional cuisine.  But because of its associations, it does seem a shame!

Our verse for today uses the image of a dove to symbolize the desire for escape and rest.  David had been betrayed, not only by his counselor, Ahithopel, but by his own son, Absalom.  He had to flee to the wilderness and defend himself.  In Psalm 55, David was filled with anguish, fear and trembling.  His only thought was to escape and fly away to a place of shelter and rest.

It is surprising that the image of a dove was used rather than one of a bigger stronger bird such as the eagle.  However, there are some species of doves that can fly up to fifty miles per hour and up to six hundred miles in a day!  The wings of a dove are a strong symbol of quick deliverance.

Where do I go when my heart is overwhelmed?  When I am fearful of the future, where do I find peace and rest?  When the hard times seem too much to bear, where can my heart settle down?  His presence is my shelter.  The protection of His wings is my escape (Psalm 91:4).

Lord, I fly to You today for that much-needed rest my heart so needs.

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)


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Pearl

Scripture for Today: James 1:2-4  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

My Chinese Mother-in-Law has wonderful taste in jewelry.  In the early fifties she bought a beautiful pearl broach in Hong Kong.  Because of her generosity, my daughters and I each have a beautiful pearl ring that came from this piece.  I am no expert on pearls, but the color and luster of that pearl is gorgeous.  I could never afford something like that today.  It amazes me that something so beautiful can come from an ugly lowly oyster!

The pearl is formed in an oyster as a protective gesture.  If a foreign substance slips in between its “mantle” and its shell, the mantle covers that irritant with layers and layers of its nacre.  Over time, the repeated secretion of that nacre is what eventually creates that beautiful pearl.

The making of a pearl reminded me of our verse for today.  The “pearl” of endurance is the beautiful result of faith-testing.  The irritant for the oyster can be likened to the trials and difficulties in life.  For the believer, every difficulty that tests faith is used for something positive.  Patient endurance brings us to completion.  Something ugly and irritating can be turned into something beautiful.

It takes a lifetime of trial and difficulties to produce a beautiful enduring strong spirit.  It is not a comfortable life but the end result is worth it.  Christ has promised to bring to completion what He has started in me (Phil. 1:6).

There is joy to know a “pearl” is in the making!  Thank you, Lord, for what Your loving tests are accomplishing in me!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)


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Struggle-Free

Scripture for Today: Psalms 46:10  “Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations!  I will be exalted in the earth!”

Our Siamese cat, Chin-Chin, lived for eighteen years.  Most every year she had a beautiful litter of kittens that my Mother would sell.  It was not unusual to see Chin-Chin carrying around her kittens by the scruff of their necks.  As a young girl, it always bothered me to see that, thinking that it must hurt the kitten.  But of course, the kitten was fine, as long as he did not struggle.  I have since learned about this odd reflex that causes the kitten to hold its body stiffly, its hindquarters raised with its tail and hind legs curled.  It is not that the kitten goes limp.  Its body is not flaccid, remaining firm.  But there is no struggle.

Our verse for today calls for stillness.  Just as for that kitten, there are times to be still and allow the Lord to have His way.  The context of this verse describes insurmountable obstacles such as changes in the earth, troubled waters and mountains trembling.  In all of this upheaval well beyond one’s control, the trusting response is stillness and quiet trust in the sovereignty of God.  He reassures us of His powerful presence.  That stillness allows Him to carry us.

Being quiet and still, carried through trial by His presence is such a beautiful image of His love.  It is never His intention that I worry or fret or struggle with questions and doubts.  He wants to carry me but He cannot until I stop struggling and fussing.

Help me, Lord, to be still and in that stillness feel you carrying me through.

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)


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Inheritance

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 33:12  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

I am happy I have a husband who plans for the future.  Our will and testament have long been written.  There is a superstition out there that says that death will quickly follow after drawing up a will.  But we are still here!

Throughout Scripture is found the encouraging promise of the inheritance that awaits believers in heaven.  Our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us (I Peter 1:4).  Everything about that inheritance far outweighs the importance of an earthly inheritance left to the family.

What is so amazing about our verse for today is that God has an inheritance too!  The Psalmist is referring to the nation of Israel as God’s chosen people and His inheritance.  God has set them apart to be His own special people.  However, in the New Testament the Church is also referred to as a holy nation and a special people (I Peter 2:9).  Because He has purchased us and shown us mercy, we too are a people set apart for Him.  We are His inheritance!

Of course, to obtain an inheritance, a death would precede it.  But because I have been bought with a price, I already belong to Him (I Corinthians 6:20).  However, I become His inheritance after my own death when I will be forever in His presence!  It is incredible that He would think of me that way!  This must be why He says in Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

Can He really love me that much, that He would call me His inheritance?  He tells me,”Yes!”  I am His and He is mine.

 


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The Horse

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 32:9  “Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.”

“Flicka” was the name of the horse I rode as a camp counselor at Summer Park Ranch in New Mexico.  She was sweet and calm for the most part.  She did have some intestinal problems that meant we were always at the end of the line, but I enjoyed her submissive spirit, most of the time.

Flicka had the problem of being what is called, “barn sour.”  She was fine leaving the barn for the trail.  But the minute we turned towards home, she picked up speed.  Off she would trot or even gallop in anticipation of being back at the barn to eat and rest.  As an inexperienced teenager, I had to learn how to use that bit and bridle to slow her down.  It was never easy.

In our verse today we are told not to be like the horse needing a bit and bridle.   They need to be controlled as they have no real understanding of what is good for them.  We, on the other hand, know we need the help and guidance that the Lord offers.  The context of this verse is a promise to instruct and teach us in the way we should go.  He does not force us in a certain direction with a bit and bridle.  He instead waits for quiet submission on our part to be led by Him.  I need His guidance.  There are choices ahead that I do not dare make on my own.  His way is the way I want.

Lord, keep me from following my own limited understanding.  Guide me in Your perfect way.