Devotions By Jan

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Harps

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 98:4-5a  “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing….”

The other day I met a believer who does hospice care.  As she had some pain issues in her neck I asked if it weren’t difficult to lift a patient.  She smiled as she explained that the care she gives is in the form of playing her harp for the patient.

There is something incredibly soothing about harp music.   David played the harp for King Saul to calm him and make him feel better. Today there is what is called, “Harp Therapy.”  Harp music has been found to increase relaxation, improve sleep, decrease pain and anxiety, stabilize vitals and improve one’s mood.

In our verse for today the harp is used to give praise to God. Not only does the harp praise God on earth but in heaven as well.  God Himself gives them to victorious ones as they sing the song of Moses (Rev.15:2).  But on earth, as we praise Him with the harp and with singing we find ourselves in good company.  The sea resounds, the rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing for joy!  This beautiful psalm ends with the reason for our praise: He will judge the world with righteousness!  One day He will right all wrongs.  Evil will be judged and what is right will prevail!  That is a cause for joyful celebration!

I am thankful I can take part in this jubilant music.  I am spared His judgement as He took the punishment for my sin.  I can rejoice in His justice because I have been given His grace.  My praise begins now and continue for all eternity!


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Tools

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 13:20a-21  “Now may the God of peace……equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen”

Being that my husband is not a handyman type, our tool box leaves a bit to be desired.  It is not surprising  that no one seems to want to borrow our tools!  We have only the minimum and somehow they sit in disarray in a corner of the basement.  We are spoiled with a landlord and with friends who are talented with tools and always willing to help.

It is important to have some tools though.  I remember in high school a group of us were returning from Bible study and the car broke down.  The driver confidently went to the trunk for tools and presented us with a hammer and a roll of duck tape!  That was not going to do much!

Our verse for today is reassuring.  God promises that He will equip us to do anything and everything that He asks of us!  He has given us His Spirit, infusing us with His power!  He has given us special spiritual gifts to serve Him better.  He has given us the fruit of His Spirit and the teaching of His Word.

There have been times in my life I have been nervous about what He might ask of me should I completely surrender my will to Him.  But I have lived this truth; my God is a gracious God.  He does not ask something of me without enabling me to accomplish it!  He is at work in me using all those tools.  Thank you, Lord, that You are faithful to equip me to do Your will today.


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Ownership

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 50:8-10 “I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before Me.  I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is Mine and the cattle on a thousand hills.”

I remember long road trips with my family when I was young.  Staving off boredom was often an issue.  To help, every time we passed a herd of cows, my Mother would ask, “Do you see the purple cow?”  And being my gullible self I would always carefully look!  I must have done the same thing when our kids were small, as they were pleasantly surprised to see a purple cow on a German brand of chocolate!

The song lyrics,”He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,” probably comes from our verse today.  The world is His and all that is in it.  The context of our verse speaks of sacrifice.  There was the mistaken notion that God was somehow dependent on them.  The sacrifices were not for God’s benefit but for the one worshiping Him.  All creation belongs to Him!

The really exciting truth here is that as God’s children we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!  (Rom.8:17)  In a sense, all that belongs to Him is part of my inheritance!  I need to remember that when I am feeling particularly vulnerable to financial pressures.  It is helpful to remember this promise when I fall into the trap of comparing my “stuff” with that of someone else.

I have an incredible future ahead of me!  I will have a share in everything He owns, from the smallest piece of gold dust to the most magnificent street of gold!  I serve a wonderful generous God!


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Mountains

Scripture for Today:  Isaiah 40:12-13  “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span?  And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales?”

The best thing about mountains is feeling so small!  I love living just two short hours from the Swiss Alps!  On a very clear day one can just see them from the vineyards behind the house.  Up close they are magnificent and the views from their summits seem to go on forever.  It always amazes me to think about how long they have towered above me and Who made them.  Their grandeur is only a small piece of God’s glory.

As wonderful as creation is, the Creator is infinitely more wonderful.  It is He that measures and limits the flow of water.  He is the one who decided the size of the universe.  The size of the earth and the weight of the mountains and hills are all decided by Him.  When I am gazing up at the Alps I am reminded of His greatness and control.

The next verse in this passage leads to a logical conclusion.  If God does all of this, who can direct Him or who can inform Him of anything?  The obvious answer is “No one.”  He is mighty, powerful and all-knowing.  He knows what He is doing with creation and He knows what He is doing in my life as well.

The mountains remind me.   I am so small and He is so big.  Is anything too hard for Him?  I am not the one to tell Him what to do.  I am not His counselor.  He is in control and His control is good.


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Master Mechanic

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 139:14  “I will give thanks to You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it very well.”

So many times I have regretted learning nothing about car engines.  When living as a single it was certainly a disadvantage.  There were times I was stuck.  There were times when a mechanic would take advantage of my ignorance.

Even the smallest car problem would confuse me.  I remember when my 1963 VW bug decided to quit…..quit turning off that is!  The key continually turned in circles without turning off the engine!  I thought I would have to wait until the car ran out of gas!  The car was so old that its vibrations had pushed out a screw!

Our verse for today reminds us of how our bodies are so wonderfully made!  I may think a car engine is fearfully and wonderfully made.  But of course it does not compare to the complicated work of art that is our body.

I often wonder, as wonderful as His work is, why I seem to have defects.  With age, there is knocking in this engine!  There are new cracks here and there.   Like a car engine, things begin to break down.  However, He designed me that way for His purposes.  We are told that our bodies are frail vessels of earth so that any power in us can be seen as coming from Him (II Cor. 4:7).

I am fearfully and wonderfully made, yes.  But at the same time I am frail.  Rather than be discouraged about my weaknesses, I can keep positive knowing God uses them to show His power.  I am one of His little ones in this well known song:  “Little ones to Him belong.  They are weak but HE is strong.”