Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Comfort


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Teeter-Totter

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 75:6-7 “No one from the east or from the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.  It is God who judges.  He brings one down.  He exalts another.”

It has been a long time since I have seen one of these teeter-totters in a public park.  I remember playing on them as a child and coordinating my movements with a friend so we could enjoy the up and down motion.  More often than not, there were some rough landings.  Not all of them were accidental!  I managed to survive this now outdated playground equipment.  Being that it is considered a safety hazard there are very few still seen today.

Our verse for today teaches that it is our sovereign God who brings down one person and lifts up another.  Regardless of our origin we can not exalt ourselves.  This psalm of Asaph declares that God puts down the wicked and lifts up the righteous.  He has the right to do so and He does it with justice.

When we try to exalt ourselves we can make a mess of things.  That is because all who exalt themselves will be humbled (Luke 14:11).  There is nothing better than hearing compliments and praise from someone else for a job well done.  When one sings their own praises all that is heard is pride.  How much better it is to leave the matter of recognition to the Lord.

God does promise to exalt us in due time.  We are to hope in Him and faithfully keep His way as we wait to see that happen.  Not only will we see ourselves exalted but we will see the wicked destroyed (Psalm 37:34)  It is a comfort to know this.  He is just and I can trust Him.

 

 


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Longevity

IMG_20140319_172509Scripture for Today: Mark 13:31  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”

My dear friend just lost her husband.  He was 94 when he died, but no matter the age, it always seems too soon.  This sweet French lady is 90 and likely to soon be knocking on the door of eternity herself.  These advanced ages always impress me.  But what is even more amazing is the Bible she is showing me in this picture!  She received it as a young girl from her godmother.  That precious volume is at least 75 years old!  Yes, it is completely falling apart from years of use, but she still reads from it.  The leather is cracked and soft.  So many of the pages are torn and crinkled.  But what memories it holds for her of God’s faithfulness!  In her deep sadness and loneliness, she continues to turn to the source of comfort (Rom. 15:4).

Our verse for today talks about what will last and what will not.  Everything is temporal in this life but God’s Word stands forever.  It is eternal.  Some have tried to eradicate it.   But it is the Word of God and it will never pass away.

On the inside cover of one of our Bibles is the saying, “Either this Book will keep you from Satan, or Satan will keep you from this Book!”  Satan tries his best to keep people from reading God’s truth.  Its words reveal God’s character and plan of salvation.  It teaches us how to defeat Satan and his lies!  The Bible gives comfort and courage to persevere in my faith.  God’s Word changes my heart and mind.  There is blessing and renewed closeness to my Lord every time I open its pages!

Keep me in Your Word, Lord.  Keep me close to You!


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Swaddled

swaddled1526120_10153719035020254_1173403927_nScripture for Today:  Isaiah 40:11  “He tends His flock like a shepherd.  He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.  He gently leads those that have young.”

My new grandson at four days old loves to be swaddled.  Especially after the trauma of a bath, the swaddling of a blanket calms him down.  He is no longer agitated flailing his little arms and legs.  The tightness of the blanket seems not only to hold him steady, but hold his unhappiness in check as well!  The change from crisis to peace is almost immediate!

Who does not relate to the need to be tightly held!  At times of great sorrow or crisis, a strong long hug seems to have such a calming effect.  Tension leaves the body, and often the emotional stress as well.

Our verse for today describes our Lord as an attentive Shepherd.  He picks up and carries the lambs close to His heart.  What a loving image!  He does not carry them under His arm like a football, but against His strong chest close to the beat of a loving heart.  Those lambs are pinned down by strong arms, much like a swaddled infant.  No more struggling is possible.  There is nothing to do but relax in those arms and be carried.

When someone suffers the loss of a loved one, I often think about those arms of His that are so loving and tender.  Hugs from friends are readily available in the early days of grief.  But later, the need to be held continues well after they have gone.  We have a Shepherd who is always available to hold us through whatever loss we are feeling.

Thank you Lord, that You are there to hold me tightly in Your loving arms.


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A Mystery

Scripture for today: I Corinthians 15:51-52  “Behold I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep. but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

I cannot read this verse without thinking of the church nursery where our children attended.  The first part of the verse was written on the wall!  And it was true!  Whether the kids slept or not, I could count on them being changed!

The silhouette of Sherlock Homes is the association often made with the word, “mystery.”  This fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is known for his use of logic and forensic science in solving mysteries.  However, in Scripture, the word, “mystery,” has an entirely different meaning.  It is a truth that cannot be discovered except by revelation.  No logic or science will reveal this kind of mystery.

How exciting to have this mystery revealed to us in the verse for today!  One day, these breaking-down bodies will be changed from perishable to imperishable!  If believers are already dead and buried, they will be resurrected and changed.  If believers at that time are still living, their earthly bodies will be changed.  Imperishable bodies will be glorified ones that will be eternal.  There will no longer be an old nature with which to contend.  These new bodies will have no need of tear ducts!  It will all be done in the blink of an eye.  What an incredible day that will be!

As my body breaks down, it is a comfort to know that one day my body will be changed!  The Lord’s promise of healing will be completely realized!  Thank you, Lord, for revealing this amazing mystery!


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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.