Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Contentment


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God is Not a Genie!

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 27:4  “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, to seek Him in His temple.”

As a child I was always drawn to stories of fairies or genies who could grant wishes.  Disney stories and television actress Barbara Eden fired the imagination of what I would ask for given that opportunity.  I knew that in addition to untold riches there would somehow be chocolate involved!  But it would annoy me no end if I had to limit myself to just three requests!

In no way is the God of the Bible a genie who grants wishes.  Unfortunately, there are those who have that erroneous idea and are quickly disappointed.  In His grace, God does give good gifts to His children through which He can be glorified.  In fact, for the believer, everything good in one’s life comes from Him (James 1:17).  But His gifts are unmerited and beyond any attempt to manipulate.

If I could ask only one thing of the Lord, what would it be?  In our verse for today, David (thought to be the author) asks for just one thing.  Most important to him was to stay in God’s presence.  It was his one burning desire to gaze on the beauty of the Lord each day of his life.

I cannot help but think that God was pleased with David’s request.   David asked something that God wanted too; close personal relationship.  Seeking His presence above all else puts all my other needs and wants in perspective.  This is a prayer I want to echo and I know He will answer, “Yes.”

( a re-post from October 18, 2013)


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Thirsty Deer

Scripture for Today: Psalm 42:1-2  “As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and behold the face of God?”

There are deer up in the forest on the hill behind our house.  It does not happen often, but I have surprised them on my walks in the vineyards.  I imagine they like to come down and nibble on the vines.  The moist climate of Alsace means that local deer can satisfy much of their thirst in their foraging of wet leaves.  The deer living in a dry sandy country have a greater need for water.

The deer described in our verse today lives in a dry climate and quenches his thirst in a flowing stream. David (thought to be the author) likens his thirst for God to that thirsty deer.  For days and nights David had been crying (verse 3).  The outpouring of his tears has made him thirsty for God’s reassuring presence.  He was crying because his enemies mocked him saying, “where is your God?” (verse 10)  In the face of their taunts and persecution, David thirsts for just a glimpse of the face of God.

David’s relationship to God was so close.  Yet, there were times he was particularly thirsty for His presence.  Those thirsty times were in reaction to the mockery of others.  In the same way, when I am ridiculed for my faith, I need to run to Him.  When my incredulous mocking peers discourage me, there is only one solution; come and be reassured in His satisfying presence.

The sweet water He provides my soul is exactly what is needed in facing an unbelieving world.  Thank you, Lord, that through faith, You satisfy that longing for a glimpse of Your face.


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Morning Person?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 59:16  “But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength.  Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your loving kindness in the morning.  For You have been my stronghold and refuge in the day of my distress.”

I do not understand a “morning person.”  Being chipper and bright early in the morning is somehow non-human!  Coffee helps start my engines, but oh so slowly.  My husband is a “morning person” and I attribute it to his childhood.  My Father-in-law had a unique way of rousting my husband out of bed for early mornings.  He would play John Philip Sousa marching band music full blast!  Thankfully, my husband does not try that with me!

Our verse for today is all about joy and singing in the morning.  I do not always feel in top form first thing but God’s strength does not falter.  If I am not feeling rested or strong even after eight hours of sleep, I can be assured that He is strong and He is my strength! (Psalm 28:7)  With a song in my heart, if not on my lips, I can thank Him.

“Loving kindness” does not describe me in those early hours.  It takes concentrated effort to sweeten my voice.  But God’s loving kindness does not fluctuate with the hour!  He continues to show me love even at my most unlovable moments!

How thankful I am that my God is constant.  Early mornings may change my disposition but never on His part!  When I take even a moment to reflect on His care and protection, I start to feel a melody of gratitude begin its first trembling notes in my spirit.

Coffee may wake me but it is thoughts of Him that make me want to sing, regardless of the hour!


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Sugar Overload!

Scripture for Today:   Proverbs 27:7  “A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.”

When I was a little girl I had a very strong taste for sugar!  My siblings remember to this day how my voracious appetite quickly depleted not only my candy but their hidden stores as well!   The resulting cavities were so alarming that my dentist put me on a “sugar diet!” During that time sugar was off limits, even in the form of some fruits!

Thankfully, I do not crave sugar quite as much today.  Perhaps I got to that sated stage mentioned in our verse.  I reached a “sugar overload” that diminished my cravings. The more I abstain from sugar the more I can discern its presence in products.  I had no idea that some potato chips contain sugar.  Now, a little sweetness goes a long way!

There is a profound truth in this verse.  One can quickly become sated and spoiled by all the good things this life has to offer.  What is new and exciting today becomes old and mundane when always available.  I may be initially thrilled with something that later loses its appeal.  By contrast, those less fortunate than I am are perhaps more appreciative.  A little hunger can sure change one’s perspective!

The Lord knows how to make my life sweet without any overindulgence.  He puts into life a mix of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.  (from Day By Day)  He does not want me sated or famished but in an attitude of trust.  He cares not only about my needs but my desires and cravings!

Overindulgence usually sounds so good at the time, but in the end, satisfaction does not come with “more.”  It is You, Lord, who makes my life sweet!


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Desert

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 63:1  “O God, You are my God!  I long for You!  My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

I have friends who are definitely “desert rats.”  Like the Joshua Tree, they seem to thrive in the dry desert heat.  I do not mind the desert if there is a lake available.  When our children were young we went to Lake Havasu in Arizona with another family for nine summers in a row.  The only comfortable place was half in the water in a beach chair, with an umbrella and a cold soda in hand!  One could maybe get used to the heat but the dryness of the air was something else.  My skin always felt dry and flaky.

David wrote this psalm while in the wilderness of Judah.  He likened his longing for God to his need for water in an arid land.  His thirst for a relationship with his Creator was all consuming.  No wonder he was a “man after God’s own heart!”  (I Samuel 13:14)

David recognized the thirst and longing of his soul.  He knew it could only be quenched by the One who created his soul.  Sometimes I do not even recognize my deepest longings for what they are.  I feel some dissatisfaction or some restlessness and do not attribute it to the correct source.  I look to other solutions or distractions.  They may even work for awhile.  But there remains something missing.

My soul was created for Him.  He is the only One who can fill those empty places within me.  When I ignore Him, I am in a spiritual desert experiencing dryness and thirst.  Lord, keep me close to You and away from that dry barren desert!