Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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In a Pickle

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong and steadfast.”

It is such an odd expression to speak of one’s self as “in a pickle.”  The word “pickle” came from the Dutch word “pekel” meaning something piquant.  William Shakespeare used this expression in 1610 for his play, The Tempest, when one character asked another “How camest thou in this pickle?” meaning “How did you get so drunk?”  Being in a pickle today can mean being in any sort of disagreeable situation.  That difficulty is likened to becoming a pickle by soaking in brine and vinegar.

Today’s verse goes further than just a disagreeable situation!  The early Christians faced real persecution because of their faith and many were even martyred.  Peter reminds them of God’s favor in calling them and of their future reward.  He also points out that the suffering is temporary and only for a little while.  How precious that God Himself will personally restore them and make them strong and firm after that suffering is over!

There is a closeness that seems to come uniquely through suffering.  I have heard so many share their gratitude for having cancer because of their special bond and closeness to the Savior through it!  In some mysterious way, God moves in close to those who are suffering.  His presence is felt like never before as He affirms and reassures of His love and plan.  There is something about sharing His suffering that brings a close relationship even closer.  He has been there for me at some of the lowest times of my life and I am thankful.

Lord, help me feel You there in the hard times.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2018)


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Dog Obedience School

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 9:23b “…But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. You did not trust Him or obey Him.”

This dog must have passed his dog obedience course with flying colors! Would that dogs obeyed their owners to this extent! I am not too sure I would enjoy grasping that wet bag handle though! Typically, the dog obedience school trains dogs to come when called, stay, sit, lie down and walk nicely on a leash. That last behavior is especially important. No one wants a dog lunging or pulling on a leash. A dog who walks attentively next to his owner is less likely to become fearful in new situations.

Today’s verse describes the disobedience of the Israelites when commanded to take the land the Lord had given them. God had promised victory had they gone up and taken possession. But they were fearful. To obey this command would involve trusting God’s promise. It would seem risky to take Him at His word. So instead of trusting and obeying, they chose to rebel.

Obeying God’s commands is not always easy or comfortable. I usually have an idea that seems better and with less bother. But doing things my way is really saying that I do not trust Him. I do not trust Him to work things out for my benefit. Can I really trust Him to meet every need? Can I truly trust Him to be enough? Will He really come through? There is no question of me obeying Him if I do not trust Him. My obedience comes out of a place of absolute trust.  Like the old hymn says, “What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; never fear, only trust and obey.”

Lord, help me to trust You more today than I did yesterday.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2015)


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Resetting the Anchor

Scripture for Today: II Peter 3:17 “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.” 

Anchored
Photo by Matthew Matheson at https://www.flickr.com/photos/blueprincearchitectural/17323371366

This rusty relic of an anchor sits above the rocky shore of Cape Breton. If anchors could talk I am sure there would be interesting stories to tell. There is quite a procedure to follow when setting an anchor. The first consideration among others is the depth of the water. But even when all steps are meticulously followed, there are times when an anchor will need to be reset. If wind, currents or tide changes cause the boat to swing over the anchor, then the anchor may have to be reset.

Today’s verse warns the believer that there is a possibility of being carried from our secure position by the wrong thinking of the lawless. These scoffers will argue that they do not see the promise of the Lord’s coming as everything continues as it always has (verse 3-4). We are to be on our guard against such arguments as God will always be true to His Word. Reminding ourselves of the veracity of His promises keeps us anchored securely in place.

If I ever feel I am drifting away, then I need to “reset my anchor” by returning to His promises. This hope in His Word is an anchor for the soul, keeping me firm and secure (Heb. 6:19). It is reminders of His faithfulness found there that keep me faithful to Him! Those fickle winds of change and popular thinking will then not move me. The constant currents of the next new thing will not budge me from the secure position He provides.

Thank you Lord, for being my anchor.


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Buckled Up!

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 6:12-13a “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist….”

Part of air travel means listening to the list of safety procedures. I know it is important but I cannot help but smile inside every time a seat belt buckle is explained! It just seems a bit too obvious! At the last cabin check before take-off, the flight attendant with whom my husband had been teasing came by saying, “Your seat belt is buckled, Mam?  You Sir, can undo yours!” Thankfully, this particular flight had very little turbulence but as advised, we kept it buckled.

Today’s verse describes the very first item of the armor of God. The context tells us that the believer is in a spiritual warfare needing spiritual armor. Without it, we cannot stand firm in the face of evil. We stand our ground first with the Truth. Like a seat belt well buckled, the truth keeps us stable in the event of turbulence. The day of evil turbulence will certainly come and usually without any warning. That belt needs to be in place and buckled at all times!

The enemy plants doubt in my thinking and as with Eve, asks if God really did say what He did. The only way to combat destabilizing doubt is to know, love and meditate on God’s Truth in His Word. Being convinced of the Truth allows me to stand my ground and not be moved, no matter how violent the turbulence. Knowing and resting on the truth will allow me to stay secure regardless of the turbulence that evil can produce!  

Lord, keep me firmly buckled in with the Truth!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2014)


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Mayday

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:17 “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”

Photo Credit: Christian Ferrer /CC BY 4.0

It was a very rough start to this cruise taken on the MV Viking Sky in March of 2019. The storm in Norway was manageable in principle. But she suffered a loss of oil pressure causing an automatic shutdown of all engines. The mayday distress signal was issued at 14:00 and was not lifted until 15:11 the next day. And in that time period, 30 helicopter trips evacuated 479 passengers. Their mayday signal, repeated three times in a row, understandably had priority over all other calls!

Today’s verse is a distress call to God repeated three times: morning, noon and night. David refers to his troubles like a tempest and storm (verse 8). He is distraught because of his enemies but he refers to just one in particular; a companion, a close friend (verse 13). The betrayal of a so-called friend is what is fueling David’s anguish. But David’s cry to God results in casting his cares on the Lord (verse 22). He ends this distress call with trust that God will take care of the wicked men in his life (verse 23).

There will always be those who oppose God and do evil. The storms in my life can sometimes be traced back to the waves and strong winds they have caused. But what causes more distress, prompting that mayday call, is the betrayal of a friend. Coming from an unexpected source makes it all the more painful. A cry for help is the best response I can make. And like David, I can end my prayer with trust. The Lord knows, He cares, He will sustain me and in His justice, He will take care of it.

Thank you Lord, for always hearing my cry.