Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Bubble Coral

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:8 “I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

It is easy to see why this coral is called, “Bubble Coral.” Its skeleton mass is covered with water filled bubble-shaped polyps. These bubbles contain large numbers of single-celled algae that need that safe and stable environment to grow. The bubbles expand during the day and retract at night, regulating the amount of light it receives. The coral depends on that algae for most of its nutrients. Without those bubbles the coral would not thrive and grow.

Today’s verse tells us that there is a shelter that is removed from whatever tempest or storm we are experiencing. Like the bubble, it is a place of safety and refreshment and it is essential to our spiritual growth. It is a place of protection and there are times we need to hurry there! David longs for this bubble of protection when danger surrounds him and he does not know who to trust. Had he wings like a dove, he would fly away to find rest. (verse 6) Had he a choice, David would flee to the desert. (verse 7) Instead, he turns to the shelter of God’s presence. (Psalm 31:20)

I find that I need to hurry to His protective and nourishing presence daily. Like David, my thoughts can trouble me. (verse 2) The shelter of His presence keeps me removed from the tempest and storm. He does not mean for me to cower in fear at the plots of the wicked. In His sheltering presence I find the peace I so desperately need when turmoil surrounds me. There, my faith is nourished in a, “safe and stable environment.” How wonderful to have such a place available to me every day!

Lord, may Your sheltering presence keep me far from the tempest and storm


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Ayers Rock

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock Eternal.”

This huge red rock rising up from the Central Australian desert, is quite impressive for several reasons. First, it is remarkable for its size. It measures almost 6 miles in circumference and stands 1,141 feet high! Also, this huge rock made of sandstone is home to rare plants and animals and ancient art can be seen on its cave walls. The rock is called, “Uluru,” by the Australian Aboriginal peoples. But perhaps most surprising is the claim that this rock is half a billion years old!

Today’s verse describes a rock that has far “outlived” the Ayers Rock. The Lord is said twice in this verse to be a rock that is eternal. And it is because He is eternal that He is worthy of our trust. He is not going anywhere. We can count on His faithfulness as His Word and promises are solid. And because He is eternal, without beginning or end, our trust in Him can last forever. When we steadfastly trust this solid rock, we are kept in perfect peace. (verse 3) He will never be moved from His faithful commitment to His children.

How quickly the world can change! The refashioning of what is considered, “normal,” seems to have occurred in an instant. The “good ole days,” can be as recent as last month! But in the midst of changes, whether considered positive or negative, I can have perfect peace. I can be steadfast because my trust in the Lord is steadfast. My faith in Him can grow stronger because He is my unmovable, unchanging and eternal Rock. Despite the swirling unsettled political, financial, or relational landscape, I can count on my Eternal Rock.

Lord, You are my strength and my stability.


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Occupied Octopus

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 86:11 “Teach me Your way Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name.”

The octopus, delicacy as it is to some, disgusts and fascinates me!  If ever there was a creature with many parts, this one wins!  He has three separate hearts and obviously has his eight arms.  What is really fascinating is that their arms have a mind of their own!  Two thirds of their neurons reside in their arms and not in their heads!  That means the arms can be solving a problem, like how to open a shellfish, while their owner is busy doing something else, perhaps scoping out a cave.  Talk about multi-tasking!

In today’s verse David prays for a heart that is undivided.  He wants to be wholly committed to the Lord but like so many of us, our lives can tend to be compartmentalized.  But God does not want just some of our attention. He wants all of it!  We are to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and strength (Deut. 6:5).  And when our hearts are completely His, there is focus that unifies all of life’s activities!  When we are wholly committed to Him, we are teachable and able to follow all His ways in reverent obedience.

I tend to think that some of my activities are spiritual and some are not.  But when all is done with the intent of honoring Him, there is no separation.  Life does not need to be fragmented.  Each and every activity is given value and focus when my heart is fixed on Him.  With an undivided heart, I can rely on His faithfulness regardless of how much is going on at once!

Lord, despite all the busyness, keep my heart wholly yours.


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The Roadrunner

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 20:24 “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?”

The roadrunner is in the cuckoo family but he doesn’t say, “cuckoo” or “beep beep.”  This long-legged bird is built for speed and can even outrun humans!  The roadrunner is believed to have special powers to make the listener feel tired when hearing his call!  Some Indian tribes believe he can protect against evil spirits.  Their distinctive “X” tracks supposedly confuse the spirits as to which direction they are taking!  I wonder if the roadrunner is himself confused when seeing his own tracks?

Today’s verse acknowledges that the Lord directs the steps of those who belong to Him.  But often, the one directed has no idea of His direction!  The question expresses what is often felt:  How can anyone understand their own way?  It often is puzzling.  We do not have the same vantage point and we can never understand it all.  We are told in any case not to lean on our own understanding but to acknowledge Him so that He can direct us (Prov. 3:5-6).

Because I cannot see what lies ahead, I need to trust the One who is already there and knows the way.  If I were to wait until I understood the reasons behind every directive, I would be at a standstill and make no progress!  But I can be confident of my direction even without full understanding.  That is because I trust Him.  His eyes are always on me and the twists and turns are not random.  He has a loving purpose for me in every change of course.  And His direction is always towards a more loving relationship with Himself!

Lord, help me to trust You completely!


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Caving

Scripture for Today: Lamentations 3:57 “You came near when I called You and You said. ‘Do not fear.'”

I cannot imagine doing what this man is doing!  Exploring underground caves and caverns is called “caving,” “spelunking,” or “potholing,” and is not for the claustrophobic!  The caves with shaft entrances as pit caves or vertical caves would especially be missing from my bucket list!  But the draw is strong for those who love exploring what is off the map and true wilderness.  To walk into the fear, the dark and the unknown can be a rush when done on one’s own terms.

Today’s verse comes from someone who finds himself in a pit (verse 55) and the prophet Jeremiah is not there on his own terms.  He is put there by his enemies.  There is no special equipment or preparedness to insure his safety.  He calls in desperation on the name of the Lord and God heard his plea for relief.  Then comes today’s verse.  God came near.  God’s presence was the answer to Jeremiah’s fear.  His circumstances had not changed but the Lord reassures Jeremiah that HE will take up his case. (verse 58)

There are many reasons I can find myself in a pit.  Times are dark when feeling outnumbered by those who mock the Name I love.  I can feel vulnerable to subtle attack, knowing that I am in the minority.  The darkness becomes especially thick when I doubt that God knows and cares.  Fear can be a constant companion when leaving God out.  But with assurance of His presence, both the darkness and the fear flee.  He answers my cries.  He responds to my pleas for help and takes up my case.  Wickedness may surround me but will never overwhelm as He will right every wrong and bring final justice!

Thank you Lord, for calming every fear.