Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Open Hands

Scripture for Today: Psalm 104:28 “When You give to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things.”

Hands can be so expressive.  When curled up they indicate tension.  When folded they can communicate a readiness to listen.  When their palms are lifted, the hands express bafflement or confusion.  Anger is expressed when they form a fist.  But the open hand is a giving hand.  I remember when our children were small.  We tried to avoid spanking with our hand.  We never wanted our hands to be feared.  How terrible when children cringe from a helping hand!  We wanted our hands to have a positive association.

This beautiful verse for today mentions God’s hands.  They are open in a giving gesture to provide for His creation.  Although God is spirit (John 4:24) it is helpful to have this image of His hands.  He reigns, delivers and does mighty works with His powerful right hand.  His hands are like no others and when He opens them, it is with loving provision.  All that is good in our lives comes from those open hands.

For the over zealous parent, a hand can be lifted in anger and punishment.  Wrath and judgement come from His righteous hands as well.  But for the believer who has placed their trust in Christ, His hands are full of mercy and grace.  His hands bear the scars from the nails that held Him on the cross.  I do not fear those hands as His perfect love has cast out all fear. (I John 4:18)  His outstretched hand provides not only for my physical needs but offers me forgiveness and peace for which my soul longs.  His hands provide for me what truly satisfies!

Thank you Lord, for opening Your hands to me.


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Table Settings

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

I had no idea that the Orange County Fair included table settings in their competitions!  Each one was elaborate, detailed and creative.  This ribbon-winning setting had an inviting Western theme.  I could just imagine the barbecued ribs, beans and coleslaw that surely would be the preferred menu!  Attention to table decoration always makes the food tastes better.  When I have company they will often ask to set the table.  But that is a job I like to reserve for myself!

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!


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A Special Dog!

Scripture for Today: Deut. 33:26  “There is none like the God of Jeshurun (Israel) who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty.”

One of our favorite places in Switzerland is the Alpine village of Grand Saint Bernard.  It is situated in the foothills of Mount Blanc right at Italy’s border.  The St. Bernard dog used to be bred here by Augustinian monks.  In the summer months one can still see these gentle giants at the traveler’s hospice for which they were named.  This dog is renowned for its capabilities as an avalanche search dog.  The small cask of brandy at their neck is a long-standing myth.  But the myth is perpetuated for the sake of the tourists and their cameras.  The most famous St. Bernard is “Barry” having saved over forty lost mountaineers.

Today’s verse is a beautiful description of the God we serve.  He rides the heavens and through the skies to give help to His loved ones.  He is majestic and there is none like Him.  He saves those who are lost and cry out to Him.  He inclines His ear to deliver and rescue us.  He promises to be a “very present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

I can put my hope and trust in Him because His help is timely.  He rides the heavens to my rescue and He is never late.  He hears me the second I cry out to Him and He never disappoints.  Even though there are times He tests my faith and arrives at the very last moment, He has come through for me again and again.  Why should I ever doubt or fear?

Lord, next time I am tempted to doubt, give me eyes of faith to see You riding the heavens to be my help!

 


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Apple Press

manoir_grandoueScripture for Today:  Psalm 34:17-18  “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.   The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as a crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.”

It is apple season!  Apple cider, apple tartes, apple sauce and apple jams are all making their appearance.  I was able to visit Calvados, known for its apple farms and products in Normandy.  The farms there have been in families for centuries.  The remnants of former apple presses make up part of the landscape, as pictured here.  After having a guided tour of one of these farms, we were treated to a fresh cold glass of cider.  It was like biting into a fresh apple!

The process of pressing the juice out of the apples involves many steps.  The methods have evolved over the years but the principle of crushing the fruit remains the same.  Crushing pressure is required to extract the juice needed for that delicious cider.

Our verse for today is a promise for the righteous.  God promises to be near and save those whose heart is broken and whose spirit is crushed.  He hears our crying and He sees our tears.  He waits for us to give Him all the broken pieces of our heart.  He waits for us to turn our crushed spirits to Him for healing.  The guilt of our sin can be a crushing weight.  He lifts it with His forgiveness.

The conviction of my sin can feel overwhelming.  But His forgiveness gives purpose to that crushing action.  He not only puts my broken heart back together but He changes my sorrow into joy!

Thank you, Lord, for your saving healing forgiveness!

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


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Silhouettes

img_1874-1Scripture for Today:  I Timothy 6:17  “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”

My eldest daughter had the terrific idea to make silhouettes of all the countries or states in which she had lived!  She framed them all and grouped them around the saying, “Home is where the heart is.”

I only recently learned that the word “silhouette” is actually a family name.  Etienne de Silhouette was an eighteenth century finance controller for the French government.  He so sorely taxed the wealthy, that they described their reduced fortune as a “silhouette” or a shadow of what once was.

Our verse for today speaks of the uncertainty of riches.  They are so ephemeral and fleeting that one cannot find security in an account balance.  Whether they are reduced by unexpected hospital bills, unemployment or taxes, there can never be peace of mind in a nest egg.  Hoping in riches is a losing proposition.  Any number of circumstances can reduce one’s riches to a “silhouette.”

How much better to fix one’s hope in a God who supplies every need!  His resources remain constant and untouchable regardless of the latest economic forecast.  He not only supplies but He richly supplies!  There is no end to what He does for His own.  I know, because I have seen Him come through over and over again!  He gives and gives and He does so to take pleasure in our grateful enjoyment!  What a beautiful giving heart He has!  What a slap in the face it must be to Him to see His children hoping and depending on themselves.

Thank you, Lord, for your unending daily provision!

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