Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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Delete Button

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

I am very glad for that delete button when I make some silly mistake or when I just need to start all over.  And there are times when I would like to press a button and just delete the last twenty four hours!  Sometimes I look back on a day that was completely busy and yet wonder how nothing on my list was accomplished.  I can be working hard all day and still feel that my day was not well-spent.

Today’s verse tells us our labor is not in vain if it is “in the Lord.”  Being convinced of this truth motivates us to stand firm.  We can give ourselves fully to the “work of the Lord,” knowing that what is done for Him is never in vain.  But it seems there is plenty of work in the day that doesn’t fit that category, plenty of work that is mundane or even trivial.  However, the work of the Lord can be anything that is done in His name (Col. 3:17).  Every activity of the day then can be dedicated to Him.  Every chore can be an act of service and praise directed to Him!

What a difference when I have this mindset.  Suddenly, my insignificant work becomes significant.  Its value comes from Him and it is lifted to a higher plane.  It is no longer vain or meaningless.  The line blurs between the secular and the sacred.  When the day is dedicated to Him, it becomes a day well-spent!

Lord, keep me motivated knowing that my work for You is never in vain.

 


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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.