Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


by Leave a comment

Rappelling

Scripture for Today: John 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

Climbing up was frightening.  But rappelling down was fun!  It felt a bit like I imagined flying to be!  All the stress of finding footholds and keeping my balance were not quite as important as I let the harness, rope and anchor do the work for me.  At the time I did not understand how the equipment worked, but I did have confidence in the instructor.  I was able to relax and enjoy that breathtaking descent!

Today’s verse is a life-changing reassurance from the Lord.  No one who belongs to Him can be snatched out of His hand.  No one is more powerful as He is greater than all.  In His powerful hand we are safe and secure.  Eternal life has been given to the believer who comes to Him in faith.  Though this life may be cut short, no one can touch the soul.

If my Savior does not allow anything to compromise my eternal security, than I can be absolutely sure of the smaller challenges too.  He is not going to let me go.  He will not relax His grip on me.  Nothing that happens in my life is outside His loving control.  I am never in a free fall.  His hands are more secure than any rock climbing harness.  Being sure of this allows me to enjoy the ride!  He is never ever going let me go.

Thank you Lord, that I can relax in the love and safety of Your hands.


by Leave a comment

Climbing the Switchbacks

Scripture for Today: II Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

I loved hiking in the French Vosges mountains.  Most of the trails we chose were gentle and easy.  But for those rare occasions when we chose a more difficult trail, switchbacks, whether by foot or by car, are my least favorite option.  Certainly it is better to climb switchbacks than trying to go straight up.  But the progress is slower.  It can be very demotivating to cover what looks to be the same ground with the same view as I double back over and over.

Today’s verse is an encouragement to continue on doing good.  Even if our path requires pain and suffering, we are to remain committed to our faithful loving Creator.  Suffering according to God’s will is suffering the Lord allows for a particular purpose.  It makes the climb slower and more difficult but the view from the top can be magnificent!

My lessons in suffering can feel like switchbacks, going over and over ground I thought I already covered!  My progression almost feels like one step forward and two steps back.  But in fact, God is using those hard times to slowly transform me.  He is faithful to use that pain for good.  I am confident that I am progressing to higher ground where my view of Him becomes clearer and more unobstructed.  He has promised to continue His good work until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).  In His grace, He uses every difficulty to bring me into a tighter closer relationship with Him.  Whatever suffering He allows, He does not want me to sit down and give up.  In persevering, I will receive what He has promised (Heb. 10:36).

Lord, keep me climbing!


by Leave a comment

Baby Book Memories

babyIMG_20160412_184735Scripture for Today: Psalm 106:7 “When our fathers were in Egypt they gave no thought to Your miracles; they did not remember Your many kindnesses and they rebelled by the sea, the Red sea.”

Thumbing through my children’s baby books was not something I had done for years.  Dates, times, and numbers carefully noted brought back a rush of memories. Pictured here is a congratulations from President Ronald Reagan in response to the birth announcement I sent him!  With the arrival of each of my three children, I tended to be progressively careless about noting facts.  The first born’s book is bulging but the third baby’s book is pathetically thin.  At the time I thought I would always remember.

The miracles the Israelites experienced would surely be remembered!  They had lived through and been protected from the plagues in Egypt.  But when the next obstacle confronted them, they gave no thought to what God had just done for them. God was kind and gracious to deliver them from the Egyptians by parting the Red Sea.  But apparently not everyone was too enthusiastic to enter those waters.  Today’s verse says that some were rebellious.  However, when they saw the miracle, they believed His promises and sang His praise (verse 12).  But, they soon forgot what He had done (verse 13).

I relate to these people.  I have seen God do some incredible things in my life.  His provision for us over the years has been nothing short of miraculous!  He has moved government officials to overlook our mistakes.  He has provided opportunities that I could never have scripted for myself.  Yet, when faced with a new challenge, I give no thought to His past miracles.  I do not remember.

Lord, keep my faith strong.  Help me remember all Your miracles and respond with trust and praise!

 


by Leave a comment

No Footprints

 Scripture for Today: Psalm 77:19 “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen.”

When walking on the beach, I prefer making my own footprints rather than following the prints of someone else.  They may be too far apart or too close, or perhaps going a direction I don’t want to take.  One set of footprints brings to mind that well-known poem where two sets of footprints change to just one as the Lord carries us through the hard times.  That set of footprints is evidence of someone’s presence and a reassurance that we are not alone.

Today’s verse refers to a time when the Lord’s footprints were not seen.  The Israelites were led through the Red Sea.  God’s mighty power brought them out of bondage but there were no footprints to follow.  There was no precedent.  It had not been done before.  Those mighty waters blocked their way, but they obeyed God’s command to enter them.

There may not be footprints to follow as I walk by faith and not by sight (II Cor. 5:7).  There are times the Lord asks me to step out without seeing the next step so clearly.  He always reassures me of His presence but I sometimes wonder if I am on the right path.  Does He really want me to go through those waters?  Isn’t there an easier way?

I doubt God is really leading me when I see the path strewn with obstacles.  Something in me expects the path to be smooth, straight and relatively easy.  But He does lead me through deep waters.  He does it to show me His incredible power.  He does it to increase my faith.  And He does it so that I will depend on Him.

Lord, lead me today, even without footprints.

 

 


by Leave a comment

Paragliding

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

How thrilling it must be to experience paragliding!  It amazes me to see these giant colorful “birds” floating effortlessly above.  They can reach incredible heights and cover long distances using the air currents and shifting their body weight.  The pilot will often use a variometer to find and stay in the core of a thermal.  It helps him realize when he is in sinking air and when he needs to find rising air.

Today’s verse is such a reassuring promise of the Lord’s sustaining power.  As my Creator He carries me at just the right moments.  He knows when I am losing altitude and lifts me up to where I need to be.  This sustaining power carries me right into my old age, allowing me to live life elevated!

How comforting to know that God rescues me when I am starting to fall.  But I can avoid that sinking feeling altogether with my own “variometer;” God’s Word.  His Word lets me know where those thermal air currents are.  His Word lets me know when I am losing my cruising altitude.  It is in following His instructions for life that I can stay aloft.  Without understanding and following His way, I risk slowing down and even falling.  But oh the benefits of obeying!  Life is less complicated.

There is nothing so reassuring as being carried in His strong arms.  I can relax knowing that He has my back!  I can even enjoy the ride and those beautiful vistas.

Thank you Lord, for carrying me today!