Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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Clapping

clapScripture for Today: Psalm 98:8 “Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.”

We are clapping a lot these days.  Because our bed sits up high, the headboard shelf even higher and the lamps on top higher still, we broke down.  We bought one of those “clap on clap off” devises to turn on and off the lights.  It works really well, too well.  Anytime we open and close drawers the light turn off.  Even the door opening and closing can activate it.  We enjoy not having to turn around and reach for that switch even so.  With the “clap on clap off’ we feel a bit lazy.  But we will get over that in time, just as we did for the television remote!

Today’s verse mentions clapping from a very unlikely source, as well as singing.  The rivers are clapping and the mountains are singing.  This psalm is describing the joy expressed when something long-awaited finally appears.  Joining in the clapping and singing are the trees and the hills (Isaiah 55:12).  Creation waits in eager expectation, looking forward to being “liberated from its bondage to decay” (Romans 8:21).  One day, everything will be put to rights when He comes to judge the earth (verse 9).

We are encouraged to clap our hands as well with cries of joy to our God (Psalm 47:1).  He is coming and He will judge the world with righteousness.  I know every wrong will be addressed.  Every miscarriage of justice will be corrected.  Everyone suffering at the hands of evil will be recompensed.  His faithful ones will be rewarded.  What an enormous reason for joy!  This day is coming and it is why I can listen to the news and yet not lose heart.

Thank you Lord, for being my hope and my joy!


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O Come O Come Emmanuel

Scripture for Today: Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us.’)

This carol is sung to a slow majestic tune sounding like a Gregorian chant.  No one knows its author but it is thought to be written in Latin by a monk sometime before 800AD.  The text is replete with Old Testament prophesies regarding the Messiah.  The words are deep and meaningful as in, “O come, o come thou Dayspring bright! Pour on our souls thy healing light. Dispel the long night’s lingering gloom and pierce the shadows of the tomb.”

Our verse for today comes from the words spoken by an angel to Joseph in a dream.  After realizing Mary was pregnant he was contemplating divorcing Mary quietly.  The angel explained that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and he was not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.  Not only was he to name the baby Jesus, but people would refer to Him as Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”  This would fulfill a prophesy spoken many years before by Isaiah.

God with us.  Have I heard the Christmas story so often that I have lost the meaning somewhere?  What a pivotal moment in history this was, that God would humble Himself and enter our world as a baby!  At that instant, everything changed.  He lowered Himself into our messy world to redeem us.  He brought light and life to a hopeless hurting world.  And He did it out of love for each of us!

There are many sweet and good traditions surrounding Christmas.  They can create warm feelings and special family times.  But the real wonder and delight is that this baby is God with us!

Thank you Lord, for being with me today.


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Elephant Feet

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:9  “He keeps the feet of His godly ones.  But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail.”

One would think that it would take a serious problem to bring down the mighty elephant.  But in fact, the single most important ailment of the captive elephant is the foot-related problem.  With limited movement their soles and nails do not naturally wear down and need constant cutting back.  If abscesses, nail infection and arthritis are not guarded against, any of these seemingly inconsequential problems could bring down this amazingly strong animal.

Today’s verse is part of a song by Hannah.  She is leaving Samuel, her precious son, at the temple to serve as she had promised.  Surprisingly, her heart is exalting in the Lord instead of melting in sorrow at the separation!  Hannah is affirming the truth of the sovereignty of God.  She understands that God will protect her little boy.  He will be keeping the feet of His godly ones, protecting their comings and goings.  It is not the strong and mighty ones that will prevail.    The wicked can only count on stumbling around in the darkness.

It is a tremendous comfort to know that the Lord sees every step before I take it.  He makes firm the steps of those who delight in Him (Psalm 37:23).  I can even walk through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4) without fear knowing He sees, He knows and He is right there beside me.  As His own, I walk in His light and will prevail through His strength.  Whatever I may face today, this truth will not change.  I can step out that front door with confidence in His loving sovereignty.

Thank you Lord, for Your intimate knowledge and care for me.


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Plymouth Rock

Free image/jpeg, Resolution: 2304×1728, File size: 1Mb, plymouth rock 1620

Scripture for Today: Psalm 61:2 “From the ends of the earth will I cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed and fainting, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

My daughter warned me that I would be “underwhelmed” when viewing Plymouth Rock on our visit there in Massachusetts.  And she was right.  Legend has made this purported site of the Pilgrim’s landing into something large and looming.  In reality, this rock is quite small and unimpressive, being only one third to one half of its original size.

Today’s verse talks about another Rock that will not disappoint.  It is not made smaller by erosion and the passage of time.  This image of a rock speaks to our fatigue and weakness.  The prayer of the Psalmist is that he would be led to the Rock.  That tells me that the Rock is not necessarily in my line of vision during those times when I am overwhelmed.  When my heart is fainting within me, I am not seeing too clearly.  The Rock is even higher than I am, and yet I need to be led to it.

My first inclination when overwhelmed is not always to cry out to the Lord.  But what a wonderful promise is written here that when I do, He comes to my aid.  He leads me to a place of strength and refreshment for my spirit.  This Rock is higher, bigger and better than any of my feeble attempts to tough it out on my own.  His strength is constant and constantly available.  He is not only the Rock but He is my Rock. (Psalm 18:46)  With His strength I can be strong, firm and steadfast! (I Peter 5:10)

Lord, please be my Rock today.


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The Swiss Alps

img_20160928_165357Scripture for Today: Isaiah 49:13 “Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.”

Our recent week of conference in the Swiss Alps already seems like a lifetime ago.  I never tire of gazing on those majestic mountains, seen here from the gondola window.  Their height, their stability and their looming presence over the village is a constant reminder of just how small I am!  Their timeless watch over the inhabitants below bring to mind the awesome power in the hand of their Creator.

There is reason for the heavens to shout, for the earth to rejoice and for the mountains to burst into song.  Today’s verse gives the reason; the comfort and the compassion the Lord gives to His hurting people.  He is not unmoved by our pain.  He does not ignore our cries.  He hears us in the night when we smother our tears.  He sees when the heart is hurting and we want to give up.  He offers His comfort and compassion which is unlike any other.

He is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (II Cor. 1:3).  He uses His Word to reassure my heart.  He uses the care and concern of friends and family.  He uses the lyrics of a long-forgotten song in the most unlikely moment to bring me a measure of peace.  His compassion never fails me.  His comfort and compassion are renewed every morning when I wake up to a new day (Lamentations 3:22-23).

What a wonderful reason for those mountains to burst into song!  May today be a day when I can shout, rejoice and sing because He cares for me!