Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Roadrunner Tracks

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!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Hang On!!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 63:8 “I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”


The koala, although a marsupial, looks like a cute cuddly teddy bear. He can hold on to those smooth-barked gum trees and even sleep there 18-20 hours a day without any worry of falling off. That is because he has two opposable thumbs on his fore paws that allow a sure grip. He also has big toes that are set at an angle to the foot, giving him a vise-like hold. They cling so well to the tree that they leave scratches on the bark.

Today’s verse tells us that we can cling to the Lord because He upholds us with His right hand. David writes this psalm while in the desert of Judah. He remembers and thinks on his bed, not about his enemies but about God’s love that he considers better than life! (verse 3) He clings to the truth that God is his help. (verse 7) David is confident of the end his enemies face. He may be in a clinging position now, but he knows that they will be destroyed and he will rejoice! They, as liars, will be silenced but he will glory in the Lord. (verse 11)

I feel as if I am barely hanging on when surrounded by those who oppose Jesus Christ and when surrounded by liars. But what I am clinging to makes all the difference! The piece of wood to which I cling is the cross! Jesus, by His death on the cross, has won the victory over every enemy! I cling to Him as He is the THE truth in a world full of liars. (John 14:6) His Word is eternal. His promises are true. He is the One who holds me up when I cling to Him.

Lord, keep me hanging on to You.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2021)


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Wayfarers Chapel Slipping Away

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:18 “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.”

This beautiful chapel, dedicated in 1951, sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Constructed of stone and glass, it nestles among the surrounding redwoods of Rancho Palos Verdes. It has long been the site of many baptisms, memorials and weddings. This incredible airy structure is also called the “Glass Church.” Unfortunately, it has now closed due to increasingly shifting ground. The structure will be dismantled and moved elsewhere because the earth has been so unstable. Those continuing landslides put the chapel at risk of slipping away.

Today’s verse has the author feeling as if he were slipping. Standing up against the wicked is exhausting and continuous. The wicked are even boasting that the Lord does not see or take notice. The psalmist is waiting for the Lord to execute His righteous judgement against them. But in the meantime he cries out for the Lord’s help (verse 17). God’s response is to reassure him of His unfailing love and presence. This knowledge holds him up and allows him to stand firm.

The shifting values of today’s world make the ground feel very unsteady under the feet. The greed and manipulation of world leaders affect entire populations. Like the psalmist I can feel like it takes more and more effort to stand firm in my faith in God’s righteous coming judgement. But His love is unfailing and holds me up. My foot does not slip when as my Rock He gives me a firm place to stand. (Ps. 40:2) And I stand on the truth of His Word and His promises!.

Thank you Lord, that Your unfailing love holds me up!


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Fountain Leak

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

There are all kinds of leaks; roof leaks, slab leaks or shower leaks. Some leaks escape detection and wreak all kinds of havoc being unnoticed. But a fountain leak such as the one pictured is pretty obvious. Water is wasted, flooding the concrete and lowering the water levels. If not repaired, the levels can get dangerously low with the pump not having enough water to circulate. In this case the problem was with the material used in installation. The workers used the wrong type of seal and the problem was immediately evident!

Today’s verse reassures the believer that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit all the way up to the final day when we will be forever in His presence! This seal does not fail us. There is no better seal than His mighty power to save and to keep us safely in His hand. (John 10:28) However, when we knowingly sin we are grieving the One who loves us with an everlasting love. Just as a parent can be disappointed with the wrong choices of their child, so the Holy Spirit is sad when we make a sinful decision. But unlike the fountain, His seal will always hold firm because of His unconditional commitment to His own.

Rather than presume on this security I enjoy, I want to be obedient out of love and gratitude. I show my love to the Lord not by pushing the limits but by seeking to please Him. This is a love relationship full of expectations on His part. And there is incredible blessing for me when I obey and meet those expectations. Being sealed by Him means I am forever His. I can love and obey Him without fear, looking forward to that future day when grieving Him will be a thing of the past and I can enjoy Him forever!

Thank you Lord, that You have sealed me forever as Yours.


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Meerkats

Scripture for Today: Ecclesiastes 7:12 “Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.”

These meerkats might be more recognizable standing up on their haunches, looking out for predators. Or maybe Timon the meerkat from The Lion King comes to mind. In any case, they are very often seen digging in the dirt. In fact, they could be considered as nature’s little excavators. Even as young pups they seem to instinctively know to dig. Their burrow and elaborate labyrinth of tunnels are their shelters from predators and from inclement weather. Inside they feel safe and protected in their shelter.

Today’s verse describes something as a shelter that we do not normally consider: wisdom. We do look at tax shelters, retirement savings and expensive insurance as a shelter. And of course, money squirreled away is a kind of shelter but according to this verse, it can fall short. In the end, money cannot preserve life. Wisdom however does. And this wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, living a life of obedience to Him. (Prov. 9:10) Life is preserved when not inviting into our days the natural consequences of sin!

When looking around me there seem to be many who live with every kind of monetary advantage. But the true advantage is a life lived connected to the Source of wisdom, Christ the wisdom of God. (I Cor. 1:30) The Lord is my wisdom and it is He that preserves my life. He is my shelter. I run to Him when worry threatens to overwhelm me. I run to this shelter when I see an uncertain future. The Lord invites me to shelter in Him when looking for the peace I so desperately need! Money and a life of ease can never give me this advantage!

Thank you Lord for being my wisdom and shelter.