Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


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Unexpected Love

Scripture for Today: Psalm 31:21 “Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.”

Katya is speechless as she accepts a bouquet of pink and white flowers from the Ukrainian president. She is lying in a Kyiv hospital as a victim of gunfire, there because she saved the life of her younger brother. Tears flow as she accepts this unexpected tribute. No, it is not easy to do the right thing as the President said. The city all around them is under siege experiencing the horrors of war. Yet somehow, a glimmer of love shines through.

Today’s verse finds David in a city under siege as well. He is surrounded by his enemies. But even there, he is confident that the Lord will hear his cry for mercy. (verse 22) In the worst of circumstances David recognizes the wonders of God’s love. He asserts that God sees and he is not “cut off from His sight.” David trusts in God’s promise to preserve those that are true to Him. (verse 23) This psalm ends with a challenge to those who hope in the Lord to be strong and take heart.

Can I find evidence of the wonders of God’s love in the middle of the most dire and awful circumstances? Or am I only convinced of God’s love when everything is safe and goes smoothly? He has promised that His love is from everlasting to everlasting to those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:17) That does not necessarily mean that I will escape a violent death. But it does mean that my life is in His hands as He has already numbered my days. (Ps. 139:16) Whether in wartime or in peace, my loving Lord will bring me safely home to Him.

Thank you Lord, for the hope I have in You.


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Hope Springs Eternal

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

Photo by Rick Cameron https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickcameron/21033156801

The saying, “hope springs eternal” is certainly true for Ellie, the dog! The ripened acorns are fragrant and entice Ellie to sniff but not enough so that she actually tries them. Still, she will sniff each and every acorn just to be sure! This saying comes from a poem written in 1734 by Alexander Pope called, “Essay on Man.” The complete phrase ends with “in the human breast.” For all of us, hope is a motivating emotion that keeps us from giving up.

Today’s verse is part of a psalm that is all about hope. It is a hope that is well placed, being in God the Savior. It is a hope that is not just momentary but lasting all day long. And it is because of this hope that David can be confident of God’s guidance and truth. He affirms that those who hope in God will never be put to shame (verse 3). And David can call on God for His protection because his hope is in the Lord (verse 21).

This hope and confidence is not just for David! Because my God is the “God of hope”, I can experience joy and peace. (Rom. 15:13) My hope is continuous on this earth, but someday my hope will be realized in Heaven when I am with Him face to face! It is this hope that motivates me to stay the course. Hope in Him is sure and will never put me to shame. To put my hope in anything or anyone else is never as sure. Hope in the Lord not only motivates but anchors my soul in truth!

Thank you Lord, that hope in You will never disappoint!


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Clinging to a Web

Scripture for Today: Job 8:13-15 “Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What they trust in is fragile. What they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web but it gives way. They cling to it, but it does not hold.”

This frosted spider web almost looks like something crocheted! It is so beautiful and intricate. I would be more enthusiastic about webs if they did not involve hidden lurking spiders! It is said that spider silk is stronger than steel. And by some criteria that is true. Most spider silk has a high tensile strength comparable to that of a high grade alloy steel. The “tensile” strength refers to the largest stress that a material can stand before breaking. The spider silk is one of God’s wonders in creation as it can stretch up to five times its relaxed weight before breaking.

Today’s verse is part of a conversation between Job and one of his three friends, Bildad. Much of what his three friends said was discouraging for Job as they assumed his trials were a result of some hidden sin. But the observation Bildad makes in this verse is absolutely true. Those that forget God and do not trust in Him find themselves relying on a spider’s web! Trusting on anything or anyone other than the Lord is a fragile trust that will eventually give way. 

My own ideas, my own strength or even my own resources are like relying on that spider web. It will only hold me up temporarily. It is just too flimsy and fragile. The Lord tells me not to even lean on my own understanding but to trust Him. (Prov. 3:5-6) How much better to lean on the One whose power and might can hold me up in any circumstance!

Thank you Lord, that I can rely on You and Your strength!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2015)


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Oh Deer!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 73:23-24 “Yet I am always with you. You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me to glory.”

Fabrice Florin, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This poor deer seems as if he is paralyzed with indecision! His little brain is probably thinking, “Run left or right? Go forward or turn around?” Fear has made him immobile. By the time he figures it out it may be too late. Not only for him but for the driver who may incur damage to the car!!  I can feel much like this confused deer when faced with too many choices. I can be overwhelmed with too many decisions especially when there has been too little sleep! 

Today’s verse is a wonderful promise. The Lord is always at the side of a believer. He offers His hand and His counsel. He is there to help with every decision, even the small ones. When making an important decision, the different options can sometimes lead to lingering indecision! The fear of choosing incorrectly can completely block us.  In consequence, decisions are postponed or sometimes left to others. Being paralyzed with indecision gives God no opportunity to guide us. 

I am thankful for a patient and understanding God. I am never left on my own in making choices. If I would but turn to Him, He would offer His guidance. He reaches out His hand to steer me in the right direction. But it is up to me to see my own limits and reach for His hand. What a beautiful image it is to see that hand continuing to guide me all the way through life and into eternity!

Thank you  Lord, for Your hand and Your counsel.  Please guide me in every decision today.


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Eye Lashes in the Sky

Scripture for Today: Job 37:12-13 “At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people or to water his earth and show his love.”

Betty Flowers https://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/9040974523

This incredible image shows scud clouds hanging from underneath a thunderstorm. They almost look like lace as they grace the sky above Wallops Island, Virginia. Also pictured is a roll cloud which resembles a horizontal tube. The air spins inside the roll clouds creating the lacy look of the scuds hanging from it. What an imaginative scene! Does anyone else see eye lashes?

Today’s verse reminds us of God’s creative power as He is the one who designs these tableaus. It is at His direction that the clouds swirl around to form what we see overhead. And the clouds stand ready to do His bidding. Our powerful God commands the clouds. His duel purpose is to punish people or to show love in watering the earth. All of His creation is under His control and responds to His directives. Nothing is outside His authority. And as a perfectly just God, it is His prerogative to punish or to bless.

I am eternally grateful to have God’s love and blessing. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for my sin, I am under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1) and do not need to fear His punishment. His blessing means an eternity with Him. But He has also given me every spiritual blessing here and now! (Eph. 1:3-8) So even when I see clouds that are not so beautiful but dark and menacing, I can be confident of His love and care. I can look up with assurance that He knows exactly what is happening.

Thank you Lord, for Your loving control in my life!