Devotions By Jan

Author Archives: devotionsbyjan


by 4 Comments

Dark Night

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 42:8  “The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.”

We just experienced the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere on December 21st.  The winter solstice makes for a very long and dark night.  However, this year, it was the night before that could claim that distinction!  Due to a lunar eclipse, the night of the 20th is said to have been the darkest night in the last 500 years!

For many people, the holidays are represented by some very dark nights.  Expectations not met, hopes dashed and keen disappointments mark holiday nights.  Sweet “Hallmark” moments do not match up with one’s reality.  For some, the darkest nights occur when everyone else seems to be celebrating.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has said when it is dark enough, men see the stars.  But our verse for today is no pithy saying.  It is truth.  His loving kindness is ours in the daytime.  His song is ours in the night, even in the darkest night.  Circumstances can disappoint.  People can disappoint.  But HE does not.  Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed (Romans 10:11).  What an incredible truth!  During the darkest night, I can sing!  He gives me hope.

I love that our verse for today says that He “commands” His loving kindness.  It reminds me that He is in control.  He commands and directs.  He arranges and controls.  So much of my life is not my call, but His.  I am thankful that His control is loving and kind.  His direction is trustworthy.

No matter how dark the night, thank you Lord, that my heart can sing because You give me hope.


by Leave a comment

Seeking Him

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

I always smile to myself when I see the bumper sticker or plaque that says, “Wise men seek Him still.”

The story of the wise men seeking the baby Jesus is only told in the Gospel of Matthew.  Because this event took place some time after the birth of Jesus, it is often given less attention.  We typically think of there being three wise men as there were three gifts offered to Jesus: the gold, frankincense and myrrh.  But regardless of their number, they went to great lengths to seek and to find the baby Jesus.  They spent money, time and effort to make that long arduous journey.  The star guiding them to the exact place they could find Him was nothing short of miraculous!

It was telling that these learned men went first to Herod’s palace to inquire.  It was only logical to think that the birth of the King of the Jews would take place in some distinguished surroundings.  I can imagine their surprise when the star indicated what must have been a very humble home!  Matthew 2 tells us that they were filled with great joy when they saw Jesus.  Their immediate reaction was to fall to the ground in worship.

Wise men seek Him still.  And He wants to be found.  I may not have a miraculous star, but I have His Spirit drawing me back to Himself.  I am wise when I listen.  Our verse promises me that He rewards those who seek Him.  He rewards me with a very special and privileged relationship with Himself!  Thank you, Lord, that YOU are my reward.


by 4 Comments

Joyeux Noël

Noel unnamedScripture for Today:  Luke 2:10-11  “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'”

There are actually two Christmas messages in this garland.  First, there is the obvious; “Joyeux Noël” or “Merry Christmas” in French.  The second message is an unintended repetition; “no L.”  When teaching fourth grade I used to put the alphabet on the blackboard without the “L” and see who could find the Christmas message first!

The word,”noël” was first used in the English language in the 14th century.  There are two ideas about its origin.  The first thought is that “noël” is a variant of “nael” derived in turn from the Latin word, “natalis” meaning, “birth.”  As Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus, that makes sense.  Then there is the idea that “noël” is derived from the French word, “nouvelles” meaning, “news.”  In either case, the emphasis is on the good news of our Savior’s birth.

In our verse for today, there is good news announced of a great joy!  It is not just for those hearing the angel’s declaration but it is offered to all the people.  The birth of the Savior is astonishing news!  That the God of the universe would condescend to humble Himself and become a vulnerable baby is astounding!  But the truth that He did it for me is what is difficult to grasp.  He did it to become my personal Savior.  In His love, He stooped that low so that I could be saved from the entirely just punishment for my sin.  It is too wondrous to describe!

What joyful news!  Joyeux Noël!


by 2 Comments

Stylish Hats

hat unnamed Scripture for Today: Isaiah 35:10  “And the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads.  And they will find gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

My husband loves his hats!  However, the one pictured here is only a distant memory!  It was the perfect hat!  It had metal in the rim and could be twisted this way and that for the perfect look!  He was able to enjoy it for only a few days.  On a ferry ride, it blew off his head and into the waters of the Atlantic.  Oh, the shock and regret of that moment!  There was nothing to do but watch it drift away.

In our verse for today, there is something very different on the head!  Hats will have to make way for everlasting joy!  This prophecy of Isaiah made reference to a literal return of the Israelites from exile in Babylon.  They would one day return to Jerusalem or Zion.  But in a larger sense it can refer to all whom the Lord has redeemed.  One day there will be a highway traveled only by the redeemed and it will lead right into God’s Millennial Kingdom.  There will be uninterrupted joy in the presence of our King!

In God’s presence is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11)  In the future there will be no sorrow nor sighing.  One day there will be no tears.  Even the memories of struggle and disappointment will completely fade.  It will all flee away in the overwhelming joy and gladness of His very presence!  What a day that will be when I see Christ!  “One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.”

Thank you, Lord, that even today in Your presence I can live a bit of that joy!


by Leave a comment

Captive!

Scripture for Today:  Colossians 2:8  “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of this world, rather than according to Christ.”

It just about kills me to see dogs caged up in animal shelters.  Of course, they have sometimes been rescued off the streets from horrible conditions.  Behind those bars they are receiving food, water and shelter.  But seeing their poor little faces peeking out with a soulful look makes me want to adopt them all!  No one likes to be behind bars.

Our verse for today describes another kind of captivity that is just as real as those bars.  Our thoughts can be taken captive through deceptive philosophies.  Rather than looking at the world through God’s truth, one can be looking at the world through a grid of man-made tradition.  This is the only time in the New Testament that this word, “philosophy” is used.  Its literal meaning is “love of wisdom.”  But as true wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10) anything else is empty and hollow.  Any system of belief that does not accord with Christ’s teaching has the potential to imprison our thoughts.

God’s revelation through His Word stands in huge contrast to human thinking.  His thoughts are high above ours (Isaiah 55:8).  Jesus declares that the truth of His Word makes one free (John 8:32).  The Jews to whom Jesus was speaking did not realize that they were in bondage.  People today do not realize that they are imprisoned as well.  My heart is filled with sadness and compassion to see friends and family members behind those unseen bars.

Knowing Jesus sets me free from futile deceptive thinking.  Thank you, Lord for the freedom of Your Truth!