Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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The Laughing Gull

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity: she can laugh at the days to come.”

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I am no stranger to all kinds of sea gulls in our area of the California coast. But I have never seen or heard this guy! That’s because the Laughing Gull makes its home on the Atlantic Coast. His dark black hood, red bill and legs and his white eye arcs give him a recognizable look. But what is most distinctive is his hysterical raucous call resembling laughter! It begins with a stuttering ha-ha-ha-ha and follows with a longer more drawn-out hash-hash-hash! He laughs when excited by courtship or defending his territory.

There is laughter in today’s verse. It is part of the description of a woman whose qualities raise what seems to be an impossible standard for others! This picture of the perfect wife and mother was given by the Queen Mother to her son, King Lemuel. The passage describes a woman of “noble character” fit for royalty (verse 10). After an extensive list of characteristics the conclusion is that charm and beauty are less important than fearing the Lord (verse 30). Fearing the Lord makes it possible to “laugh at the days to come.” There is a light heart even when facing the unknown future.

Of all the qualities listed for this perfect woman, this ability to laugh at the days to come has got to be the most difficult! It is a litmus test of my faith in God and His plan for me. To laugh at the days to come does not mean I do not prepare for them. But it does mean that I can trust Him for the unexpected! I can trust Him for what is around that blind curve. Whatever He allows to happen, He will carry me through it. Instead of fear and anxiety, He makes possible a light heart. Whatever the challenge of the days to come, He is enough.

Thank you Lord, for the confidence I can have in You!


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Don’t Upset the Apple Cart!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 16:8 “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

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This gentleman looks intent on keeping all his apples stable as he transports them to market with no chance of upset. The phrase, “don’t upset the apple cart” is thought to originate in the 18th century and according to an English professor, Anne Curzan, has a surprising meaning; the human body! At that time a ‘bread basket’ was your stomach, a ‘potato trap’ was your mouth, and the ‘apple cart’ was your body,” she said. To physically knock someone down was to upset the apple cart! Today’s meaning is advice not to disrupt a stable situation.

Today’s verse acknowledges that life can be unstable, full of changes and disruptive to the comfortable status quo. King David declares that he will not be shaken. He understood that it was the Lord who made his lot secure and not his armies nor his wealth and position. (verse 5) Rather than look to his circumstances, he keeps his eyes on the Lord for that sense of security and stability.

There may be some apples out of alignment on my cart. There may be a whole row of them about to fall! With the news being so volatile on the world stage, or when changes in my personal life blindside me I can certainly feel “shaken.” But I am reassured when I tear my eyes away from circumstances out of my control and redirect my attention to the One who has all the control! That sense of well-being, peace and security returns when I steadfastly look to Jesus. (Heb. 12:2)

Thank you Lord, for Your calming reassurance.


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“Expect the Unexpected”

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

If there were ever a piece of advice for the beginning of a New Year, this would fit the bill! This quote to expect the unexpected has been attributed to Bear Bryant, that iconic football coach with his black and white houndstooth hat. He is considered one of the greats with his legendary run of 6 national championships as coach of University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Although he was known for holding his rolled-up game plan while on the side lines, he obviously had to disregard it in the face of the unexpected.

Today’s verse reassures me, not only at the beginning of a New Year, but every day. There may be political unrest or chaos in our world but the Lord has plans that are never frustrated or foiled. His sovereignty is absolute. He allows and He blocks the plans of men. He is not random or capricious but always has a design of His own that will supersede our own plans. His unseen plans will never be thwarted by man as they stand firm and forever. I can be assured that there is an ordered objective to what God is allowing.

This truth gives me tremendous comfort when my world seems to be spinning out of control, whether on the world stage or in my personal life. Nothing takes the God of the universe by surprise. He has no need to modify or change His plans as He knows the end from the beginning. Nothing is ever “unexpected” for Him! And because this is true, I have no cause for fear. In the middle of the unexpected, I can expect the Lord to keep His Word and promises to me!

Thank you Lord, that Your plans stand firm.


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What’s the Plan?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

I doubt that this was the plan. This poor mouse finds himself precariously hanging on to a branch rather than foraging on the ground for food. Obviously, something happened to disrupt his plan! He finds himself the “poster child” for the quote: “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” This line from a poem in 1785 by Robert Burns was written to a mouse whose carefully built home was plowed over by a farmer. The message was that even with careful planning, there can arise an unforeseen circumstance that changes everything!

Today’s verse gives tremendous reassurance as we face a new year! There will be unforeseen circumstances in the coming twelve months. Some will be joyful and positive! Happy surprises await! But as with any year, some surprises will not be so welcome. Our plans may or may not come to fruition. We cannot know. But we can commit each of our plans, projects, hopes and dreams to the Lord. The word, “commit” in Hebrew has the idea of rolling down or rolling away. From our shoulders to His, we roll the questions, doubts and burdens of the future. He will establish our plans when we submit them to His control.

I have some great plans for this next year and I approach the new year with excitement! But with each proposed project, I want to surrender to His loving oversight. As my Lord, He has the final say, seeing what is ahead when I cannot. With His personal involvement in even the tiniest detail, I can roll any care, anxiety or doubt over to Him. He establishes the plan!

Thank you Lord, for the excitement of a New Year in Your grace!


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The Sea Plane

Scripture for Today: II Thessalonians 1: 3b-4  “…your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.  Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”

We were boating with friends on Lake Minnetonka when our peaceful reverie was abruptly interrupted by the landing of a sea plane near us! I had seen them at a distance but never one so close! The water was smooth and the landing seemed effortless. We were not there for his departure but I learned that smooth water can create drag and make lift off more challenging. Some pilots will create artificial waves by circling before take off to create some turbulence!

Today’s verse describes the spiritual health of the Thessalonian church. Paul is proud of their growing faith and love for one another. Their faith has been growing as a result of persecutions and trials. Like the turbulence of the water, the process can be hard but the results can be seen in a growing and healthy faith. It is not in the smooth unruffled times that perseverance is needed. It is when faith is challenged that it grows. It is when life is hard that brothers and sisters love and support one another.

I wish it were not so. I would love for life to be calm, unruffled and peaceful. But the waters need stirring up. The turbulence is needed for new heights to be gained. It is in the challenge of the hard times that my faith is challenged and I grow closer to my Creator. He calls me to higher and higher altitudes where I can see Him more clearly. He uses the turbulence of testing to grow me more like Him. This is my confidence. This is my hope in whatever difficulty I face. Every time, He is there.

Thank you Lord, that I can trust You.