Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Comfort


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Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Scripture for Today: Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This is a special week as it ushers in Spring. For some colder climates, its coming is not so obvious. But one of the first signs of Spring is this unassuming butterfly. It is not so eye catching as other butterflies, but it has the distinction of being the first! The Mourning Cloak butterfly will sometimes come early, heralding the fact that Spring is just around the corner. Its unusual name is due to the resemblance of its deep brown wings to the color and texture of cloth worn by those in mourning.

Today’s verse describes a place where there will be no more mourning, death, crying or pain. What an incredible thought! But even more amazing is that the Lord Himself will personally wipe away every tear from our eyes! He will turn mourning into gladness. (Jer. 31:13) The old order of things will pass away on this new heaven and new earth. And God will will dwell there among us. What used to be the Kingdom of God in hearts will one day be a literal Kingdom where He will reign.

I love the newness of Spring and the hope it represents. But one day, I will be living in a Kingdom where everything is not only new but eternally so! Death and dying will have no place. Reunions will be so sweet and there will no longer be the need for goodbyes. Struggle, pain and suffering will be part of the old order and no longer an issue. This is not wishful thinking but certainty in God’s promise. What is today my hope will one day be seen and realized!

Thank you Lord for giving me hope.


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Unwrapping Love

Scripture for Today: Luke 2:7 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Who doesn’t like to give and receive gifts? The delight on someone’s face when that treasure inside is unveiled brings a smile! The anticipation is especially keen when something is wrapped with care. That extra effort hints at the contents being extra special. My problem is waiting until the last minute and wrapping everything hurriedly without much thought. I am less inclined to take special care with details when the gift is opened by impatient boys or inattentive husbands!

Today’s verse is part of the Christmas story and I never tire of hearing it and reading it! The fact that the narrative adds that small detail of Jesus being swaddled brings me right back to the days of my own newborns. Wrapping them up tightly like a burrito seemed to calm them immediately, giving them a sense of support, comfort and protection. Jesus, although fully divine was also completely human and needed that same kind of comfort. And yet, He Himself became that comfort for His own. (Isaiah 49:13) He has promised that His unfailing love can be our comfort. (Psalm 119:76)

Love did come down at Christmas. By becoming human and taking on Himself the penalty of my sin, Jesus offers me His love, His salvation and His comfort as a gift. But like any gift, it needs to be received and unwrapped to enjoy. And the gift of Himself is not only to be enjoyed on “religious ” occasions but everyday. His love is my comfort, my support and my protection. I am swaddled in His love every moment!

Have you unwrapped the gift of His Love to you? If so, drop me an “AMEN” in the comments!

And to all my readers, have a very Merry Christmas celebrating His Love!


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Rising Up!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 30:18 “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.”

What a beautiful and impressive sight to see these hot air balloons rise up during the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey! This annual event, usually in August, attracts thousands from around the world. More than two hundred years ago the first flight took place from the Tuileries Gardens in France thanks to the research done by the Montgolfier brothers! (I always wondered why a hot air balloon was called in French a “montgolfière!”) Unlike hot air balloon rides today, the first passengers were a sheep, a rooster and a duck!

Today’s verse speaks of the graciousness of the Lord. He rises up to show compassion for those He calls His own. Many times in Scripture “rising up” speaks of God’s judgement on the wicked. But here, He rises up to show compassion, with reassurance that He will be faithful to those who are targets of injustice. His justice will prevail because He is gracious and compassionate. It may be that He shows justice in our lifetime, but if not, surely in the life to come! And we are called on to wait for Him.

I am not feeling so “blessed” when I see all kinds of injustice in our world. It can weigh very heavily on my spirit, especially when loved ones are targeted. It is so difficult to see brothers and sisters in Christ suffer. But in believing in the God of the Bible and His ultimate justice, I am able to rise up myself and stand firm! (Ps. 20:8) One day, every wrong will be made right! This is my confident hope and expectation, one that lifts my spirits.

Thank you Lord, that I can trust Your justice!


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Downey Feathers

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Photo Credit: Lindsey Bieda https://www.flickr.com/photos/mutednarayan/396673914

Is there anything softer than downey feathers? This is certainly why some duvets and pillows afford such wonderful and comforting sleep. Apart from being breathable and regulating body temperature, these soft feathers will envelop and conform to the body. They are so malleable that there is less strain on the muscles. Their natural softness just wraps around the body, so much so that it is hard to leave!

What a beautiful image feathers are in today’s verse! The Lord covers the believer with something so soft. Yet, at the same time, His feathers are strong, providing refuge from any attack! It is under His wings that we discover His faithful care, as strong and protective as a shield or surrounding rampart. His feathers are lightweight, not weighing us down. We can breathe deeply and catch our breath there, surrounded by His attentive safe keeping. His soft feathers wrap around the body shielding us from whatever threatens us.

The best place to be is under His wings. How good He is to provide that respite for the soul! Sometimes I do not even realize how harsh the world is until I go there and feel the contrast of His soft enveloping love. He offers me His protection and strength there under His waiting wings. But how often do I go there? I am just silly enough to walk right past Him and muddle through on my own. But I have had enough of hard realities. I need to relax, let go, and bask in the soft realities of His love and care.

Lord, keep me under Your wings today.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2021)


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Meerkats

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 7:12 “Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.”

These meerkats might be more recognizable standing up on their haunches, looking out for predators. Or maybe Timon the meerkat from The Lion King comes to mind. In any case, they are very often seen digging in the dirt. In fact, they could be considered as nature’s little excavators. Even as young pups they seem to instinctively know to dig. Their burrow and elaborate labyrinth of tunnels are their shelters from predators and from inclement weather. Inside they feel safe and protected in their shelter.

Today’s verse describes something as a shelter that we do not normally consider: wisdom. We do look at tax shelters, retirement savings and expensive insurance as a shelter. And of course, money squirreled away is a kind of shelter but according to this verse, it can fall short. In the end, money cannot preserve life. Wisdom however does. And this wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, living a life of obedience to Him. (Prov. 9:10) Life is preserved when not inviting into our days the natural consequences of sin!

When looking around me there seem to be many who live with every kind of monetary advantage. But the true advantage is a life lived connected to the Source of wisdom, Christ the wisdom of God. (I Cor. 1:30) The Lord is my wisdom and it is He that preserves my life. He is my shelter. I run to Him when worry threatens to overwhelm me. I run to this shelter when I see an uncertain future. The Lord invites me to shelter in Him when looking for the peace I so desperately need! Money and a life of ease can never give me this advantage!

Thank you Lord for being my wisdom and shelter.