Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


by Leave a comment

The Sloth

Scripture for Today: Luke 24:25 “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken.'”

These sloths move so slowly they can seem to be holding still even when on the move!  It is said that “a rolling stone gathers no moss.”  However, this slow moving animal can actually grow algae on their fur, turning a greenish hue and blending in with their surroundings.  Contrary to popular belief they do not sleep all day but only ten hours.  They move at such a snail’s pace to conserve energy as their diet of mainly leaves digests slowly and is low in calories.

Today’s verse is a reproach from the resurrected Jesus for two of His disciples while walking on the road to Emmaus.  These men were sad and discouraged, their hopes being dashed that Jesus would redeem Israel.  They misunderstood the prophets and they did not believe the testimony of the women and disciples who saw the empty tomb (verses 22 & 24).  They were slow to believe.  But rather than leave them in that state, Jesus opened their spiritual eyes to His Word and later to His identity (verse 31).

How personal Jesus is to meet me exactly where needed!  Just like those two disciples I can be so slow to believe.  With infinite patience Jesus answers my doubts and questions.  He reassures me through His Word.  He makes His presence felt.  And each time He does this, He gives me another opportunity to grow my faith and trust.  It is better to be slow than to be at a standstill.  But my prayer is that I can respond to keen disappointment with firm belief in His control and goodness a bit sooner each time.  He is giving me this opportunity now.

Lord, may I quickly respond with belief!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from earlier this year.)


by Leave a comment

Palm Reading

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 49:15-16a “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.”

Palm reading is generally thought to be a superstitious belief but it continues to enjoy some success for those who want to believe. There are different types of palmistry practiced but the idea is to interpret one’s future by looking at the heart, head, life or fate lines. Classic palmistry has its roots in Greek mythology where a god or goddess is related to different areas of the palm or fingers.

Today’s verse talks about God’s palm and what is written there! The Lord is reassuring the Israelites that He will never forget them. As unusual as it may be for a mother to forget her child, He will never forget His own chosen people. A mother may not have compassion for her child, but the Lord will comfort His people and will have compassion on them. (verse 13) Those that God loves He will never abandon. Those that He loves are engraved on the palms of His hands.

How reassuring it is that the Lord will never forget me! His thoughts towards me are as numerous as all the grains of sand in the world. (Psalm 139:18) That means I can never catch Him NOT thinking of me! His palms are engraved with my name and no one can snatch me out of those loving powerful hands! (John 10:28) My heart, hand, life or fate are all in His control as I belong to Him. What an amazing confidence and peace His love makes possible!

Thank you Lord, that You will never forget me.


by 1 Comment

Gibbon Arms

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 59:1 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.”

These adorable-looking gibbons can boast as having the longest arms of any primate, relative to body size. This small ape lives in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and he can be seen swinging gracefully between branches. Their arms are longer and stronger than their legs. They can move so easily from branch to branch. When they walk they will often hold their arms up over their heads. But I especially like what this black gibbon is doing with his arms!

Today’s verse turns our attention to the arm of the Lord. It is long enough to save the most sinful and rebellious. No one is out of His reach to save. It is His outstretched arm that made the heavens and the earth. Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jer. 32:17) His arm is long enough to reach into the darkest night and save us from drowning in despair. His arm is long enough to save from any physical danger. But most important of all, His arm is long enough to extract a soul from the kingdom of darkness and lovingly place that one in His Kingdom of light!

What wonderful power is in His arm! It is amazing that this same powerful arm wants to wrap itself around me! I am safe and secure there. Nothing can touch me except what He allows. I know and am persuaded that He is able to keep my soul, committed to Him, for now and for all eternity. (II Tim. 1:12) There is no power greater than His that can separate me from His love! (Rom. 8:38-39) His powerful arm is long enough to save me and to keep me!

Lord, help me trust Your arm today.


by 2 Comments

Navy Seal Creed

Scripture for Today: James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

“Forged by Adversity” is one of the creeds of the Navy Seals. This image of the Navy Seal Trident represents what can only be worn by those who have earned it through their arduous training. The US Navy Website has this quote; “I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time.”

Today’s verse talks about adversity in the form of testing and trial. When going through it, one is blessed by God for persevering and not giving up. The Christian life is not exempt from any kind of hardship, although we think we should be! The Lord uses many kinds of tests to forge us into a tool of righteousness that He can use. When we stand firm when rocked by adversity, we do not just get a special trident to wear. The Lord promises a “crown of life” to those who stay true to their love for HIm.

Adversity forges my faith by using fiery trials or ordeals. (I Peter 4:12) I wish my faith grew stronger some other way. But it is in the middle of crisis that I look up and cry for His help. It is when I am too weak that He shows Himself strong. When I come to the end of my own resources, He responds by supplying my needs out of the riches of His glory! He turns my adversity into blessing and more reasons to love Him!

Lord, help me to persevere.

 


by Leave a comment

Wishing Well

Scripture for Today: Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Will a wishing well have mystical powers and grant any wish I speak aloud? That was the prevailing thought centuries ago. The idea in German folklore was that the clean pure water was guarded at its source by spirits who would sometimes take pity on humans. Whatever one spoke aloud as his heart’s desire may just be granted and to insure the outcome, small tokens or coins would be tossed in the water.

Wishing at a well, wishing on a star or making a wish blowing a dandelion head pretty much describe the thinking of those who place their confidence in anyone but Jesus.  It is a poor flimsy substitute for real hope.  Today’s verse describes God as a, “God of hope.” The hope He offers, unlike a wish, will fill the one who trusts in Him with joy and peace. Trusting the God of hope means the believer can overflow with hope by the power of His Spirit within us! Hope for the believer is faith in what is sure. 

My hope is only as good as its object. That makes my hope in Jesus unshakable! I not only have hope, I am overflowing with it as I trust Him.  He promises to fill me with all joy and peace as I live in that hope and trust. My wishes and desires are never as important as the deeper gifts of joy and peace He offers in the face of darkness and despair. Because He is my hope, I can look forward to an unknown future without anxiety.

Thank you Lord, for being my hope.