Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Comfort


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Hurricane

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

I am so glad I do not live in hurricane country.  We were in Florida one summer as a hurricane came through and I will never forget it!  We got up in the middle of the night and jumped in our car, hoping to race out of town ahead of it.  We did not feel the full force of those winds as we managed to get out, but even the beginning of it was impressive.  Those winds howled so that we could hardly stand!

There is one place in the midst of a hurricane where there is very little wind or rain, and that is at its very center.  The eye of the hurricane is where the storm’s minimum barometric center is found.  There, in a space typically 20-40 miles wide, there is utter calm in the middle of chaos.

Our verse for today describes a peace that is perfect.  The winds still howl and rage.  The rains continue to pelt the ground, but the one in that “eye of the storm” will not be affected.  That is the case for anyone who keeps their minds steadfast on the power and goodness of the Lord.  Absolute trust in God’s control will lead to absolute peace.

Keeping my mind steadfast on the Lord Jesus is not so easy.  Like Peter, I am distracted by the elements around me and start to sink (Matt. 14:31).  Jesus is so gracious to stretch out His hand and catch me.  His presence is my “eye of the storm” where I can have peace and calm despite my circumstances.

Thank you Lord, for the perfect peace I find in You.


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My Father’s House

Scripture for Today: John 14:2 “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

We had the privilege of living in the Loire Valley of France for three years.  It is an area known for its fabulous châteaux.  The Chambord is probably the most recognizable as it is six times the size of most.  What is so amazing is the number of rooms.  Although only eighty are open to public viewing, there are 440 in what started out as just a hunting lodge!  I cannot even imagine having so many rooms!

In our verse for today, rooms are being readied in preparation for the arrival of God’s children.  Each is being especially prepared by our loving Father.  The number of rooms in His house are too numerous to even be counted!  Yet, I imagine that each one is stamped with the personality of the one who is to live there.  The rooms will be perfect.  The style will suit us.  The comforts will be exactly right.  But the best part is that there will be uninterrupted time with the Owner of the house.

I love that the Lord uses this image of a house.  It will feel more like home than anything we have ever experienced on earth.  The idea of a perfect home is not the size or the number of rooms but the love and warmth that this place can encompass.  Just because it is perfect does not mean that it is cold or impersonal.  It will be filled with love and laughter and eternal joy in His presence!  There will be music and running and skipping on those golden sidewalks!

Thank you Lord, for the room You are preparing for me!

 

 


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Seashells

shellsunnamedScripture for Today: John 17:15 “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.”

This shell collection of my Father’s was a surprise. He was always an avid rock collector but I did not realize he was collecting shells as well.   He kept them in a large tin canister, each one wrapped meticulously.  He saw beauty in the myriad of colors and in the shapes of each seashell.  The variety and detail of God’s creation is amazing!

Of course, the seashell is about more than beauty.  It is there to protect that living creature inside!  Our verse for today is a prayer of Jesus specifically for the protection of His disciples.  There would be persecution ahead as each one takes a stand for Him.  This prayer is equally applicable to believers today (verse 20) as Jesus includes all who will believe the message of His disciples.

It may seem as if God did not answer this prayer of Jesus.  Most of the original twelve disciples died a martyr’s death.  Were they not protected?  Today, we see horrible scenes of Christians being killed for their faith in Christ.  Is this prayer invalid?

From what does God protects us?  In His grace He protects us repeatedly from bodily harm.  So often, we are not even aware of His protective hand.  But this prayer of protection concerns the evil one.  Our souls are protected.  Though the body is destroyed, no evil can touch the soul and its sure destination (Matt. 10:28-29).

As the world becomes increasingly hostile to true Christ followers, I can live without fear.  My soul belongs to Christ (II Tim. 1:12) and I am persuaded that He will keep what I have committed to Him.

Thank you Lord, for Your beautiful protection.


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Care Packages

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

I remember when I was single, living in France just after college.  Although I lived with a wonderful family, I missed my own.  It was easy to feel bereft, lonely, and well outside my comfort zone.  The daily mail was my lifeline.  My brother and his wife lifted my spirits by sending a care package.  I remember it had my favorite cereal that I ate every morning in the States.  It was a little bit of home, but more than that, it reminded me that I was not forgotten.  My family cared about me.

Our verse for today is a reminder of God’s care as well.  He shows His care in so many ways that sometimes go unnoticed.  But one very impressive way He cares is by shouldering all of our anxieties.  He sees when we are bowed down with anxious thoughts and worries.  He invites us to give them all to Him.  We are to be “anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6) and we “cast” those worries on Him by prayer.  He exchanges those anxieties and worries for His peace (verse 7).

It is amazing to me that God cares about how I feel.  He knows my physical needs, He knows all of my thoughts, but even more, He knows exactly what I am feeling.  And He cares.  He is moved to compassion when He sees me stewing in my own worries.  He offers peace but instead I keep hanging on to my anxiety.  Somehow, my worries become a habitual thought pattern and it can be difficult to let them go!  Why do I continue to worry when He is there to relieve me?

Thank you Lord, that You care enough to take away every anxious thought.


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My Comfort

Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 1:3  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.”

I noticed on Facebook a comment that made me stop and think.  It was a condolence message saying, “May your memories be your comfort.”  It is a beautiful sentiment.  Our memories help us through the intense loss of a loved one.  Keeping those memories alive is a tribute to the one gone and a way to help us cope.

There is another source of comfort that can help lighten the burden of grief.  That source is our Heavenly Father, God of all mercy and comfort.  There is no loss to which He cannot relate as He gave up His own Son.  When one is experiencing the pain of loss, no one else can possibly feel that same pain, regardless of how similar the circumstances may be.  But our God of comfort knows and understands.  Jesus, as our High Priest, is touched by our grief and all we are feeling (Heb. 4:15).

This verse has been put to the test by my own grief having just lost my Dad.  I do know He is faithful and true.  At the very moment of Dad’s passing, it was the middle of the night in France.  The Lord woke me up for almost two hours and during that time, an old hymn ran through my mind over and over again.  “Does Jesus care?  I know He cares.  His heart is touched with my grief.  When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.”  He has been my source of comfort in times of loss, and He will be again.

Thank you Lord, for being my constant comfort.