Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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Early Riser

Scripture for Today: Psalm 127:2 “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves.”

It goes without saying that “the early bird gets the worm.”  Yet I feel compelled to say it when I see this photo!  For his worms I wonder if that early bird stays up late too.  Perhaps the bird does not sleep so well wondering where to nab his next worm in the morning.  There are other birds out there to compete with after all.

Our verse for today was written by Solomon who has lots to say about vanity.  It is vain to make life all about acquisition.  He should know as he did not deny himself any possession or pleasure (Eccl. 2:10-11).  Yet when he surveyed all that he had toiled to achieve, it was meaningless.  God chooses to bless His loved ones and does so apart from our own toil, even in sleep.

The Bible is full of verses on being a good conscientious worker and not a sluggard.  But toiling incessantly is not the goal of life.  Living with constant stress is not God’s plan.  This world is so fast-paced seeming never to stop.  One is always in a hurry to do more, be more and produce more.  But when I put God’s Kingdom above everything else, God blesses me with everything needed (Matt. 6:33).  There is no point to burning the candle at both ends.  I can take that eight hours of sleep and not feel guilty.  I belong to Him and I trust His care and provision.  I can rest easy knowing He is faithful to provide.

Thank you Lord, that there will be sweet sleep tonight, knowing You love me.

 

 

 


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Love Locks

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:17 “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children.”

There is something about Paris that inspires grand gestures of love.  Couples have been putting locks on the Pont de L’Archeveche to commemorate their love.  What a wonderful way to symbolize the permanence of a relationship!  However, a section of this old bridge built in 1828 has buckled and fallen under the weight of these locks.  The city is now ordering that all the locks come down for safety reasons.

Our verse for today is a promise of a love that never ends.  Unlike the best-intentioned human love, God’s love for His own does not fail or falter.  His love is everlasting because He chose us in love to be His before the creation of the world! (Eph. 1:4)  He proved His love by dying for us while we were still rebellious sinners (Rom. 5:8)  He did not wait for our response.  He loved us first and to the utmost!

The symbol of His love is more than a lock on a bridge.  The symbol of His love is that infamous cross.  It reminds me of what He went through to establish a relationship with me!  It locked up securely and forever the love we can now share!  There is no way to tear down or nullify what He has done to establish this love.  It will continue into eternity!

I feel God’s love most keenly when I am considering His power and greatness.  The fear, awe and respect that His holy character inspires makes me even more appreciative of this incredible love.  I am humbled and grateful that He, being so vast and powerful, could love someone like me!

“Amazing love, how can it be?”

 


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Robbed!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 61:8 “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbing and wrongdoing. In My faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.”

The nerve of this seagull stealing cake at my grandson’s birthday party!  He was persistent, returning every time we moved away!  The seagull is known for its scavenger habits.  These “garbage men with wings” like to hang around fishing boats, picnic grounds, and parking lots.  Most of the time they do us a service but this one had gone too far!

Today’s verse reveals God’s very character.  He hates robbery and wrongdoing and He loves justice.  Because He feels so strongly on the subject, He uses His power to right those wrongs.  He is faithful and just (I John 1:9) and will deal with all sin.  In His grace He rewards His people with promises of salvation and vengeance for wrong done against us.

I am not unique in living with injustice.  We all live with injustice at some point of our lives.  We all have stories of being robbed, defrauded or victimized.  I am grateful for courts of law that mete out some justice.  But it is never perfectly done and many times, robberies among acquaintances or family members never appear in courts.  Thank God He is just.  Thank God He is faithful to eventually punish and reward according to His perfect justice!  He has promised to avenge and repay (Rom. 12:19) and He will do it perfectly.  Rather than let anger consume me at something unfair, I can have confidence that God will take care of it.

Thank you Lord, that reminders of Your perfect justice calm me down and comfort my heart.

 


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Tricky Crossing

brookunnamedScripture for Today: Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”

I enjoy my walk in the San Juan hills every chance I get.  But this part is tricky.  It is not that the water is deep or the rocks too far apart.  They are in fact spaced just right.  The problem is that some of these rocks move slightly when I step on them.  Add to that my terrible sense of balance and the inevitable is sure to someday happen.  But for now, I have avoided slipping into the water.  Thankfully, there has never been anyone around to see my silly unsteadiness.

Our verse for today describes our God as a Rock.  He does not move.  His works are perfect and He can always be counted on to do what is absolutely right and just.  He never does anything remotely wrong or questionable.  He does not change with the times.  His actions are never capricious or based on whimsy.  He is faithful and just to His character.  The fact that He is unchangeable means He does not move.  He  does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17) or like rocks in a stream.

I love that the Lord is sure and steadfast.  I can build my life on His unchanging truth and character rather than the shifting ground of worldly values and views.  I can cross over water that is deep and scarey knowing that He makes my steps sure.  He is faithful and will not let my feet slip.  His promises are as rock-solid as Himself.  I will not be moved when trusting in Him!

Thank you Lord, that because of You I can walk with confidence today!


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Seashells

shellsunnamedScripture for Today: John 17:15 “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.”

This shell collection of my Father’s was a surprise. He was always an avid rock collector but I did not realize he was collecting shells as well.   He kept them in a large tin canister, each one wrapped meticulously.  He saw beauty in the myriad of colors and in the shapes of each seashell.  The variety and detail of God’s creation is amazing!

Of course, the seashell is about more than beauty.  It is there to protect that living creature inside!  Our verse for today is a prayer of Jesus specifically for the protection of His disciples.  There would be persecution ahead as each one takes a stand for Him.  This prayer is equally applicable to believers today (verse 20) as Jesus includes all who will believe the message of His disciples.

It may seem as if God did not answer this prayer of Jesus.  Most of the original twelve disciples died a martyr’s death.  Were they not protected?  Today, we see horrible scenes of Christians being killed for their faith in Christ.  Is this prayer invalid?

From what does God protects us?  In His grace He protects us repeatedly from bodily harm.  So often, we are not even aware of His protective hand.  But this prayer of protection concerns the evil one.  Our souls are protected.  Though the body is destroyed, no evil can touch the soul and its sure destination (Matt. 10:28-29).

As the world becomes increasingly hostile to true Christ followers, I can live without fear.  My soul belongs to Christ (II Tim. 1:12) and I am persuaded that He will keep what I have committed to Him.

Thank you Lord, for Your beautiful protection.