Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Comfort


by Leave a comment

Moeraki Boulders

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one beside You; there is no Rock like our God.”

These strange spherical boulders on the Koekohe Beach in New Zealand have fired the imagination for years.  The varied names given them include: eel pots, hooligan gallstones, giant gobstoppers, alien brains, bowling balls of the giants and dinosaur eggs!  There are over fifty of them and the biggest one weighs seven tons!  Their strange appearance makes for a unique landscape.  They are made of mud, fine silt and clay, cemented together by calcite, layer upon layer over many years.

Today’s verse is part of Hannah’s prayer as she dedicates her young son, Samuel, to full-time service in the temple.  This is the child she had prayed for so ardently, being barren and snubbed.  Although she was giving up Samuel, her heart rejoiced being vindicated before her enemies (verse 1).  She felt delight at God’s deliverance and praises Him for being her holy and unique Rock.  Throughout Scripture our God is pictured as a Rock.  What an image of His strength and permanence!  Layer upon layer of faithfulness to His Word makes for a sure foundation.

I never need to worry whether my Rock will be there tomorrow or the day after.  He is immoveable and unchanging.  He is my strength, and my refuge.  Being my Rock, He is a place of strength and refreshment for my flagging spirit.  The surface of this rock has a cool touch when I am too warm from stress and anxiety.  But that same rock surface is warm from the sun and comforting when I am feeling cool and indifferent.  I know He is faithful to meet my every need as I have “proved Him ore and ore.”

Lord, be my Rock today.


by Leave a comment

Are We There Yet??

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:17 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

“Are we there yet?” must be the most often-asked question while going through this tunnel!  The Laerdal tunnel in Norway is the longest land tunnel in the world at 24.5 kilometers.  Because of concern for the well-being of the travelers, advice was sought from industrial psychology consultants.  To keep people positive, three large caverns were built every six kilometers with blue lighting to suggest daylight and yellow lighting on walls to represent sunrise!  But what would keep me positive is the sign with the length posted!

Today’s verse encourages positivity as our troubles are said to be “momentary.”  Regardless of the duration, every difficulty in life is temporary when compared to eternity!   Pain is momentary but glory is eternal.  And the glory experienced in Heaven grows in direct relation to our afflictions here on earth.  The hard times experienced by the believer are not only momentary but are working for him.  What awaits us far outweighs any sadness and pain on earth.

To answer the question, no, we are not there yet.  But we will be.  Ten thousand years from now I very much doubt that I will give this pandemic a second thought.  All the trials and difficult times I experience are but for a moment  They are a temporary condition.  And as hard as they feel, it is a pain that is never wasted.  My sorrow is not for nothing.  This truth keeps me from “losing heart” (verse 16).  Remembering this keeps me looking forward to what is unseen and eternal.

Thank you Lord, that life’s trials can seem small when compared to You and eternity!


by 2 Comments

Bleeding Heart Flower

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

One can immediately see how this flower got its name!  The larger petals resemble a heart and the bottom of it even looks like blood dripping down!  These perennial flowers have been growing wild for centuries in Asia.  But it has only been since the 1800’s that the Bleeding Heart has been cultivated in the Western world.  It is not only used as a symbol for love but also for the compassion we are to feel for those that suffer.

Today’s verse describes our God as one of comfort and a Father of compassion.  He knows and feels with us our sadness and pain.  His heart bleeds for the brokenness of our world.  But He did not stop there.  He did something about it by paying for the sin that allowed this brokenness to enter our lives.  He knows when our souls are “downcast within us” even when no one else is aware.  His comfort is a balm to the sorrow that our suffering brings.

He sees when I am overwhelmed with fear and worry.  He cares when I am feeling too sad to get up from bed   Better than physical comfort, He gives me the amazing comfort of His love and goodness.  He knows better than anyone else how to lift my head and my spirits.  He brings to mind a song lyric.  He uses a long-forgotten verse.   And so often, He gives comfort through the encouragement of other believers.  His heart bleeds for me and He asks me to have that same heart for the suffering of others.

Thank you Lord, for Your precious comfort and help me share it with others.


by Leave a comment

Contact Tracing

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:2-3 “You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.”

Technology is now being developed to trace our physical contact with those who may be infected with the COVID virus.  The idea is to control the spread through identifying those with whom an infected person has had close contact.  The app, due to come out in mid-May, would be in partnership with public health authorities.  And the challenge will be to do this in a privacy-preserving way!

Today’s verse can either be viewed with anxiety or comfort!  The Lord is aware of our every movement.  He knows when we leave the house.  He knows when we retire for the night.  Whether we stand or sit He is mindful.  How incredible that the God of the universe is familiar with all our habits or any change of schedule!  Not only is He aware of our movements, He knows exactly what we are thinking!  This is a knowledge too wonderful to even grasp (verse 6) and more extensive than any technology could achieve!

Does this knowledge make me uncomfortable?  Because I belong to Him and am under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1) I can answer, “no.”  The fact that the Lord is aware of my every movement and my every thought gives me comfort.  He uses this knowledge to love me and care for me.  Because of His love and grace, I do not have to hide from this knowledge.  His intimate knowledge of me means I can live without fear.  I can move confidently through my day, knowing He is there.  Rather than get nervous over what could happen, I can trust Him.

Thank you Lord, that You know.


by 3 Comments

C.O.V.I.D.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:4-5 “But because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

“This too shall pass,” is a phrase I often heard from my Mother and I find myself repeating it during these unique times of self-isolation.  I am hopeful that one day we will look back saying, “remember when?”  We have lost loved ones and our hearts break for those experiencing financial hardship as well.  My husband invented his own acronym for Covid to help me gain some perspective, “Christ Offers Victory In Death.”

Today’s verse talks about the life Christ offers to those who are alive but at the same time dead in their sins.  Being dead, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.  It is because of His love and mercy that He made us alive with Him.  The tomb could not hold Him nor will death have the final say for those to whom He has given spiritual life!  Death will no longer have the victory (I Cor. 15:55-57).  Believers are no longer dead in their sins but alive with Him both now and forever!

What a difference this makes for me!  The potential for death in any situation is devoid of “sting.”  My life continues with Him whether my body does or not.  I have been made alive and that life never ends.  I can face an unknown future with confidence.  I can live without anxiety and fear knowing my life is forever in His powerful loving hands.  I do not relish the idea of dying, who does?  But I do know that my true life is hid with Him (Col.3:3).

Thank you Lord, for victory even in death!