Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Bow and Arrow

Scripture for Today:  Romans 3:23-24 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus.”

As a skinny-armed adolescent my archery experience was short lived at camp.  It just hurt my arms too much to pull back that bow.  Living in Europe so long I have had more opportunity than most to see archery competitions and shows.  These expositions seemed to always be a part of local village fairs.  And I have seen some impressive displays of strength and precision.  It is beautiful to watch, as long as the target was not something living!

Today’s verse describes missing the target of God’s glory.  This word for “sin” denotes falling short of the intended goal.  Some may get closer than others but all of us fall short of God’s absolute perfection.  We can strive an entire lifetime to live up to God’s standard, but we do not have the momentum to get there without His grace.  In the Archer’s hands we are stretched with His power and pointed in the right direction.  Believers are declared righteous because of Christ reaching that goal of perfection for us.

Although I am redeemed through Christ’s sacrifice, the Archer still pulls back on my bow.  I know that He uses my problems and difficulties to stretch me.  He uses the tension to mature me in my faith.  The goal is to make me more and more like His Son.  There is no pain that is wasted.  He uses it all for His plan and His glory.  I may not understand it all but I know I can trust His strong capable hands.  He knows what He is doing.

Thank you Lord, for slowly transforming me.


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Sauna

Scripture for Today: I Chronicles 28:19 “All this…I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and He enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”

The wet heat of a sauna is the preferred choice for many to lower stress and relax.  The deep sweating raises the core body temperature allowing the blood vessels to dilate.  The increased blood flow relaxes muscles and cleanses the skin of toxins.  It all sounds good, but for me there is one big problem.  I do not like to sweat!

I find myself repeating the saying, “don’t sweat the small stuff,” when trying to calm myself.  Recently, I have been drowning in details of administration.  The project was a stretch and outside of my comfort zone.  I had to continually remind myself that my God is a God of detail and I can trust Him to help me in the smallest fine point of planning.

In today’s verse David declares God’s faithfulness.  The Lord helped him with construction plans  for the Temple his son, Solomon, was to build.  God’s hand was on David to help him understand the smallest detail.  I love that!  Our God is big and powerful to do mighty amazing things.  But He is also a God of minute detail.  Because He loves and cares for us, He cares about the small things in our lives as well.

The following verse concludes the thought.  Because our Lord is a God who takes care of detail, I can trust Him.  He tells me to be strong and courageous and do the work, knowing that He will never fail me or forsake me!  In other words, “don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Thank you Lord, that for You it is all small stuff!

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule.)


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Night-Blooming Cereus

Scripture for Today: Psalm 77:2 “When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and I would not be comforted.”

How amazing that this cactus flower only blooms at night!  Its flower is either white or a pale color, opening after nightfall and wilting by dawn.  It is native to Arizona and the Sonora Desert and is short lived in that harsh environment.  But it is beautiful and fragrant in its temporary glory.  I find it incredible that our Creator would fashion such a beauty, seemingly for His own enjoyment!  And the older the plant, the more blooms there will be.

In our verse for today, Asaph, thought to be King David’s director of music, describes the distress he was feeling in the middle of the night.  He sought the Lord.  He cried out to the Lord, but at the same time, he refused to be comforted.  His soul must have resembled the dry thirsty desert.  He was feeling those thorns of the cactus choke out the comfort he so needed.

When the lights are out and the house is quiet, there is ample opportunity to focus on the distress I have pushed to the corners of the mind during the day.  Like Asaph, I can turn to the Lord in those sleepless moments.  What seemed hopeless and without comfort turns around to something fragrant and beautiful; praise.  Like Asaph, I can remember what God has done in my past.  Remembering His faithfulness to me gives me courage to face the future.

No one sees that flower of renewed faith and intimacy with the Lord.  It blooms at night, and as I grow older, there are more opportunities for blooms to appear!

Thank you Lord, for Your comfort and reassurance in the night.

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule.)


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Solar Eclipse

Scripture for Today: Psalm 36:5 “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

How eerie to see the sun completely covered by the moon today!  The total solar eclipse was oohed and awed by many along its trajectory.  Those not in its path still had the opportunity to see the sun partially covered with their special glasses.  For many of a certain age it may very well be their last opportunity to experience the celestial show as the next one does not occur until 2024.  It was odd to see crowds of people clapping and cheering as the sky became completely darkened.  The return of the sun did not get the same response.  As nature’s spectacle came to en end, I do not think there were many that doubted that the sun would reappear.

Today’s verse is a wonderful reassurance about something that is warm and full of life-giving energy that is never eclipsed.  God’s love can never be darkened.  Nothing can thwart or obstruct His faithful love for His own.  His love reaches to the heavens and there are no shifting shadows that can change it (James 1:17).  He is faithful to His Word and to His promises.

It can feel dark.  It can feel as though He has abandoned me when things are not going my way.  When my doubts obscure His love there is only one solution: I need to turn back again to His love letter to me.  There I am reminded of His faithfulness.  His love has not changed.  His love and compassion are renewed every morning (Lam. 3:22-23).  Though I may not see the light of His love, it is still there.  He lifts my head to see His faithfulness reaching to the skies!

Thank you Lord, that Your love for me never fails!

 


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Table Settings

Scripture for Today: Psalm 78:19 “They spoke against God; they said, ‘Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?'”

I love a pretty table setting!  Somehow, all that attention to detail makes the food taste better.  When I have company over they may ask to help set my table.  But that is something I always reserve for myself.  However, this  outlet for creativity can be overdone.  This table looks a bit crowded as there seems to be no place for the dishes.  The flowers are perhaps too tall to see other table guests!

Today’s verse talks about the Lord Himself spreading a table.  It was no picnic being in the wilderness year after year.  The Israelites complained and repeatedly put God to the test.  How gracious He was to rain down manna, called the “grain of heaven” and the “bread of angels” (verse 24-25).  They gorged themselves on meat that He provided.  Yet, their hearts were not loyal.  Though He provided for their needs again and again, they continually forgot His power (verse 42).  How exasperating it must have been for the Lord to hear the question posed in our verse when He had proven Himself over and over.

I imagine that though the Lord loves me, He must sometimes be exasperated with me!  Can He really meet this need?  Will He come through for me this time?  Can I completely count on Him for that?  To even have such thoughts reveals that I have forgotten His power.  He has already shown Himself faithful time after time.  Yes, He can and does spread a table in the wilderness!  When all seems dry and desolate, He provides above and beyond all we can ask or think! (Eph. 3:20)

Thank you Lord, for spreading a table for me and meeting my every need!

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule.)