Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Cape Disappointment

Scripture for Today: Mark 12:24 & 27b “Jesus replied, ‘Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? …You are badly mistaken.'”

What an unfortunate name for this Washington State Park! For many campers, hikers, photographers and history buffs, this scenic spot is a delight! It was named by the English Captain, John Meares in 1788. He was looking for the head of the Columbia River, first mapped out by a previous explorer a few years earlier. This cape does sit at the mouth of the river, but he was disappointed. Why? Because he mistakenly believed it was only a bay.

Today’s verses are the words of Jesus to the religious Sadducees attempting to trap Him. Like the explorer, they mistakenly believed something. They mistakenly believed their own traditions over and above the Scriptures. Their beliefs even negated the power of God! Their religiosity, devoid of any real relationship with the Lord, could only lead to disappointment. These religious leaders did not believe in the resurrection and they were badly mistaken. They did not believe God’s incredible power and promise to raise us from the dead.

The hurt is deep for those disappointed by a mistaken belief. But the Lord declares that those who hope in Him will not be disappointed! (Isaiah 49:23b) Government leaders disappoint me. The Church can disappoint me. My own erroneous expectations can disappoint me. Even family and friends can disappoint. But the Lord never disappoints! He has promised to take every negative in my life and turn it around to something positive. (Rom. 8:28) Even the evil in my life at the hands of others can be turned around. (Gen. 50:20) The Lord will never disappoint as the good He intends for me cannot be thwarted!

Thank you Lord, that You never disappoint!


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Horses and Chariots

Scripture for today:  Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord.”

Who remembers that famous chariot race scene in the epic movie, Ben Hur? It took five weeks to film this nine minute segment and the studio used 15 thousand extras for the crowd of spectators.  There was an infirmary created especially for this scene because of the potential for injury.  There were no injuries, however, except some bad cases of sunburn.  Three life-like dummies were strategically placed to give the appearance of bodies run over by the chariots.

Horses and chariots were important instruments of war in biblical times.  The winning side in a battle were often those with the best built chariots and the swiftest horses.  In today’s verse, one can choose to place their confidence in their horses and chariots or in the name of the Lord.  The choice is basically the same today.  We can choose to place our trust in our own efforts, or we can depend on the strength of the Lord.  It is the Lord who gives victory with the power of His right hand. (verse 6) To trust in oneself is no guarantee of victory.

Trusting “in His name” is trusting God Himself. He is absolutely worthy of my trust but sometimes I overestimate my own abilities and efforts. I am so prone to feelings of self-sufficiency. It seems easier to just handle things in my own strength and in my own way. The results, though, are never as good as dependence on Him. Having confidence in His goodness, control and power gives Him the open door to do some amazing things above and beyond all I could ask or or even imagine! (Eph. 3:20)

Help me Lord, to completely trust Your plan and Your power.


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Why Celebrate?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 2:10-11 “Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.”

We just finished bringing in the New Year with lots of noise, toasts and and celebration. It was a happy time of saying goodbye to a difficult year and welcoming the clean slate of the new. There was hope for peace, good health and prosperity. The celebrations seemed a bit short-lived this time around as we see the political unrest in our world. Talking about celebration appears to be completely off-subject compared to the somber mood of today.

Today’s verse is a warning to the rulers of the earth. Regardless of the amount and extent of the power held in one’s hands, they are to acknowledge and serve the Lord with fear and trembling. Wise ruling on their part can only happen as they recognize that the Lord has the ultimate rule and not them. It is God that reigns over ALL the nations. He is seated on His holy throne. (Psalm 47:8) His powerful rule is forever. (Psalm 66:7) The rulers and the ruled can celebrate this truth as His rule is righteous and just.

Regardless of the political turmoil, I can continue to serve the Lord. And as incongruous as it sounds, I can continue to celebrate His rule, being assured of His control! My God continues to reign despite chaos. He has already revealed the end plan in Revelation and His plans are never thwarted. (Psalm 33:10-11) No, I am not wearing the party hat anymore. But I can have deep-seated joy and confidence in God’s hand moving world events to bring about the future He has in mind. I can celebrate His power, His plan and His control!

Thank you Lord, for reassuring and lifting my heart!


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Chaos!

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.”

The contrast is a stark one noted on this sign, and recently in our lives as well with the current unrest. There is a theory called, “Chaos Theory,” that attempts to explain the unpredictable. Rather than traditional science that deals with the predictable, as in gravity or certain chemical reactions, Chaos Theory teaches us to expect the unexpected. It is a science of surprises that are impossible to predict or control. Categorizing what we cannot control as “chaos,” does not do much to reassure me!

Today’s verse does reassure me. 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. In contrast to chaos, and despite chaos, 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 a large or personal scale. 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. He never says, “uh-oh,” nor does He wring His hands. He has the world in those hands and because He does, I can have rest in the middle of unrest.

Thank you Lord, that Your plans stand firm.


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Planning the New Year

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

This pencil is just a little bit different.  If you look closely, you will see that there is an eraser on both ends! This must be what I am figuratively using right now, as my own plans seem to be in a constant state of change. I know I am not alone in feeling this way. As we begin the New Year, what we could possibly plan on becomes the burning question. Not only do we write in our agendas in pencil, but we are very likely to need double the amount of eraser!  

Today’s verse reveals the Lord’s plans for His own.  He is good, merciful, loving and compassionate. It only follows that His plans are good as well. He sees the beginning and He sees the end and knows every hidden outcome. But His plans for the believer will include hard times that grow our faith and glorify Him. He erases our ideas of what is good and replaces them with what He knows is best. He is the only One who has the power and the control to do that. He is the only One I can trust to do that.

In looking back, I can see that His plans have been for the best. I do not regret His eraser. If left to myself and my own warped desires, I  am pretty sure I would have made a mess of things. His way leads to a life that is richly blessed with His presence and love. With His plans, there is always hope and an incredible future!

Lord, help me to trust Your plan for this new year!