Devotions By Jan

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United States of Anxiety

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:19 “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” (NASB)

“We are all in this together.”  It is a phrase I repeatedly hear on social media.  As a society we are divided on so many fronts; political, religious, racial and economical.  But one thing seems to united us and unfortunately it is anxiety.  It may be that our anxiety is only an occasional thought.  Or it may be an underlying state of mind that colors our whole day.  For some, this anxiety is showing itself in disturbing dreams (ahem….) or interrupted sleep.  In any case, it is a natural state of affairs when we feel we are not in control and we do not know what is next!

Today’s verse gives an answer to our anxious thoughts that seem to multiply within us.  The soul can be delighted with His words of comfort and consolation even in the middle of such uncertain times.  We can move from anxiety to delight when we turn to His Word and His promises.  His lovingkindness holds us up (verse 18).  The Lord will not abandon or forsake His people who are His inheritance (verse 14).  Whatever the future holds, He is there and He is faithful.

I am a great one for asking myself, “what if?” or “what then?”  My questions come from a desire to know and control.  But there is no way of knowing or controlling.  And I do not really need these answers to experience delight in the deepest part of me.  Rather, I need the One who does know and control.  He reassures my heart that He has a plan for my future and He is good.  I can let go of anxious thoughts when I spend time with Him.

Lord, thank you for relieving my anxiety.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from earlier this year.)


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The Whimbrel

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:10 “these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”

Half the fun of walking close to the water on Southern California beaches is watching the Whimbrel.  He is very recognizable with his striped head and long curved bill.  When he flies it will be just over the water or ground.  More often I see him running near the water’s edge.  He uses that long bill to pick and probe in the sand, finding crustaceans, insects and worms.  He will dig deep in the wet sand to reach his dinner.

Today’s verse teaches that there are deep things of God that His Spirit searches and reveals to us.  These things cannot be physically seen, heard or even imagined (verse 9).  These are things that God has prepared for those who love Him and can only be known through His revelation.  No one can know the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God (verse 11).  God’s thoughts are not our thoughts ( Isaiah 55:8) yet His Spirit resides in the believer.  And it is only through God’s Spirit that we can have even a small inkling of all that God has prepared for us.

When the Spirit reveals the deep things of God it is through His written Word.  I need to dig deeper to know Him more.  I do not want to be satisfied with surface knowledge.  His Spirit wants to reveal more of Himself to me.  But too often I am rushed or distracted and do not take the time to dig deeper or listen to that still small voice.  The deep things of God are so deep it will take all of eternity to know Him.  But how incredible to start now!

Lord, keep me going deeper.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from earlier this year.)


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The Sloth

Scripture for Today: Luke 24:25 “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken.'”

These sloths move so slowly they can seem to be holding still even when on the move!  It is said that “a rolling stone gathers no moss.”  However, this slow moving animal can actually grow algae on their fur, turning a greenish hue and blending in with their surroundings.  Contrary to popular belief they do not sleep all day but only ten hours.  They move at such a snail’s pace to conserve energy as their diet of mainly leaves digests slowly and is low in calories.

Today’s verse is a reproach from the resurrected Jesus for two of His disciples while walking on the road to Emmaus.  These men were sad and discouraged, their hopes being dashed that Jesus would redeem Israel.  They misunderstood the prophets and they did not believe the testimony of the women and disciples who saw the empty tomb (verses 22 & 24).  They were slow to believe.  But rather than leave them in that state, Jesus opened their spiritual eyes to His Word and later to His identity (verse 31).

How personal Jesus is to meet me exactly where needed!  Just like those two disciples I can be so slow to believe.  With infinite patience Jesus answers my doubts and questions.  He reassures me through His Word.  He makes His presence felt.  And each time He does this, He gives me another opportunity to grow my faith and trust.  It is better to be slow than to be at a standstill.  But my prayer is that I can respond to keen disappointment with firm belief in His control and goodness a bit sooner each time.  He is giving me this opportunity now.

Lord, may I quickly respond with belief!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from earlier this year.)


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Margin of Error

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 7:20 “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

It is complicated to calculate margin of error, at least to those who do not have strong math skills! This concept in statistics expresses the amount of random variation underlying a survey’s results. In principle, the larger the sample is, the smaller the margin of error is. The other important factor is the confidence level, whether 90, 95 or 99%. There are also other sources of error that come into play; bias in the questions, excluding groups that could not be contacted, people refusing to respond, people lying or miscounting.

In today’s verse there is absolutely no margin of error! The sample is the largest it can be: earth’s entire population. Added to this fact is the veracity of God’s Word. Paul affirms this statement when quoting Psalm 14:1-3, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Rom. 3:11) God’s standards of righteousness are well above man’s. God looks down from Heaven on all mankind. (Ps. 53:1-3) And if it were not for the grace He showed when taking on Himself the punishment of our sins on the cross, there would be no hope of forgiveness or of eternal life with Him.

No. There is no error at all in what God declares is true. I have a confidence level of 100% because God said it. There is not a person on this planet (myself included) that can merit eternal life. No one can slide in as part of some forgotten percentage. God does not grade on a curve. His standard is holiness and I am woefully short. Thankfully, He has given me not only abundant grace but also the righteousness of His Son! (Rom. 5:17)

Thank you Lord, that what You say is completely trustworthy.


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Honey for Roots

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:102-103 “I have not departed from Your laws, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

The sweetness of honey is not just appreciated by our taste buds. Honey is also helpful in creating new plants from cuttings! Infections can be avoided at the site of the cut by dipping it in a honey and water solution. This is because honey has antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties that save the cutting from rot and infection. This gives the plant cutting a chance to actually form new roots.

Today’s verse tells us that God Himself is involved in teaching us His way through His Word. His laws are sweeter than honey as they keep us close to His heart. Life is sweeter when we obey the Lord and experience His incredible blessing. With the honey of His law we are able to avoid the rot and corruption of the world around us and grow deeper into Him. We want to be grounded and rooted deep in His nourishing love. (Eph. 3:17) Following His law helps us stay healthy, strong and vibrant in our faith.

It seems odd to think of laws and commandments as something sweet! I normally resist anyone telling me what to do and what not to do. But God’s laws are different. They are always true, right and the best to follow. They allow me to live the best kind of life possible, helping me to avoid the snares and pitfalls sin presents. But most importantly, following His way allows me to stay in a closer relationship to the Lover of my soul. I want to be able to say with the psalmist, “I have not departed from Your laws.”

Lord, keep me close to You.