Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faith and Trust


by Leave a comment

Apples

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.”

There are hundreds of varieties of apples available in Alsace.  No wonder apple tartes are such a common dessert here!  Their names are just as beautiful as the fruit; Belle de Pontoise, Ariane, Nonpareil, and my favorite…Coeur de Boeuf  (Heart of Beef) just to name a few.  Their apple cider vinegar tastes wonderful and I have a new appreciation for homemade applesauce!

Our Scripture for today mentions an apple, but of course a different kind.  The apple of the eye refers to the central aperture of the eye.  The phrase, “apple of the eye” is used to describe someone who is loved and cherished.

We are the apple of His eye as we are loved and cherished.  One of the names of God conveys this truth; the name, “El Roi” meaning, “God Who Sees.”  It was first used with Hagar in Genesis 16.  Being the apple of His eye means that He not only sees but He cares.

David knew that he was the apple of God’s eye, loved and cherished.  In Psalm 139 he recognizes that God saw the slightest detail.  God even saw when David was sitting or standing (verse 2).

I never have to wonder if God sees.  I am always in His line of vision.  Our verse actually gives two images.  They both have the same idea of protection.  Nothing gets past the God who sees.  I am the apple of His eye and He loves me.  Nothing comes into my life without His knowledge and permission.

God sees when that sparrow falls. (Matt. 10:29)  As the apple of His eye I am worth so much more!  “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!”


by 1 Comment

Beautiful Hands

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

Young hands are beautiful hands.  As we get older, spots and raised veins appear.  Arthritis can swell the knuckles and hands do not look as beautiful as they once did.  Hands have a way of giving away our age.  Too bad gloves are not in style!

The Scriptures tell us that God is Spirit (John 4:24).  Even so, the Bible is full of references to God’s eyes or arms or hands to help us understand Him.  And I love to think of His hands and the fact that as His child, I am held there, safe and secure.

Our verses for today describe His hands as being more powerful than any others.  There can be no sudden sneaky move on the part of the enemy that can snatch me out of His hand.  I, myself, can not cause Him to let go.  My faith in Him put me there.  His power and love keep me there.

His are the hands that formed the universe.  The hand that holds me is the same hand that stilled the waters and calmed the seas.  Those hands touch and heal.  And His hands are scarred with the proof of His love.  They are hands that I can trust.  He will not let me go.

My life is in His hands, but more than that my eternity is in His hands!  If life is suddenly cut short, that does not change the pressure of His hand as He walks me into His very presence.  His hands are beautiful.


by 1 Comment

Shaken

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 16:8-9  “I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell in security.”

I have lived through my share of earthquakes, being from California.  They are unsettling, to say the least.  Thankfully, I have never experienced injury or damage.  For whatever reason, most of the ones I have lived through have been when the weather was very hot.  We used to call it, “Shake and Bake!”

There was one earthquake in particular I remember.  The epicenter apparently was a lot closer to the television studio than to us.  The newscaster dove under his desk during an aftershock that we did not feel.  How strange to see the cameras still rolling and no one there!

Our verse for today is a beautiful affirmation of the fact that our lives are in God’s hands.  No evil or natural disaster is going to thwart His plan for our individual lives.  Whether it is a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake, we do not need to live in fear.  In faith we realize His comforting presence, regardless of the circumstances.

For the believer who trusts God’s plan and control, there is gladness, rejoicing, and security.  Instead of fear, there is confidence which cannot be shaken.  We know that He is good.  We know that our eternal home is real.  We set Him continually before us and look to Him in faith.

When I see any kind of natural disaster, terrorist act, or any evil plot of man, I am reminded that life is fragile and temporary.  A sudden catastrophe could rock my world.  But I can stay strong in my faith.  Because of Him, I will not be shaken!


by 1 Comment

Instant Results

Scripture for Today:  Isaiah 30:18  “For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy; He sits on His throne, ready to have compassion on you.  Indeed, the Lord is a just God; all who wait for Him in faith will be blessed.”

Waiting for anything is not our strong point.  We want instant everything.  These instant noodles are not only cheap and versatile but so quickly prepared that very little waiting is required!  We certainly do not put up with a slow computer.  All it takes is a few minute’s wait to make us go ballistic!  We want everything ready when we want it.  We all want and expect instant results.

The Israelites in today’s Scripture passage wanted to see results instantly.  They were not willing to wait for God to deliver them from their enemies.  He had invited them to return to Him and rest in Him and be saved.  But they would not.  Instead, they trusted in their own plan using very swift horses, with disastrous results.  The result was quicker but not what they wanted!

How often I find myself unwilling to wait!  Taking things into my own hands usually seems more effective, even more logical.  But part of trusting is waiting, and for me, it is the most difficult part.  I do not like to wait.  I want to know something is happening, that the Lord is “on task.”  And rather than believing that He is, I feel compelled to fix things myself.  And like the Israelites, I may have a quicker result, but not what is best.

I love that the Lord is ready and willing to act on my behalf.  It seems incredible that He wants to bless me.  What mercy!  What compassion!  Help me Lord, to wait on You in faith.


by Leave a comment

Don’t Look Down!

Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 5:7  “…for we walk by faith and not by sight.”

I can just imagine how frightening it would be to walk across the bridge pictured here.  Perhaps, if I could avoid looking down, I could make it across much more easily.

I am at a point in my life where I can say that most of my life has already been lived!  In looking back, I am amazed at some of the scary crossings through which God has led me.  In retrospect I can see the dangers He led me through and the ways He has kept me from falling.  I could not see it at the time.

The Lord does not always give us too much information about what He is doing.  If He did, then faith would not be necessary.  But sometimes He does not let us see how He is leading for our own good!  Crossing this bridge without looking down has got to be easier!

There are more scary crossings in my future.  I am sure of it.  But I do not have to have all the details in advance.  Nor do I need all the details during the actual crossing.  I only need to keep my eyes ahead, and not look down!  My eyes are to be fixed on Jesus, who not only started me on this journey of faith, but will bring it to completion (Heb.12:2).

I often think that walking by faith is something pretty difficult.  But in fact, it can be much more difficult to be focusing on the impossible circumstances surrounding me.  Trusting and acknowledging Him, allowing Him to direct my paths means safety and security.  It means peace and confidence because He is trustworthy.

Lord, keep me from looking down!