Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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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.


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Travel Insurance

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:11 “Do not withhold Your mercy from me, Lord; may Your love and faithfulness always protect me.”

It is not uncommon for us to buy travel insurance when flying.  With the possibility of cancellations, health concerns, or accidents, it seems a good idea.  One time in particular we needed to file a claim and were glad we had purchased it.  But one important step is to know what the policy covers and what it does not!  Today I made some wrong assumptions, thinking a flight delay causing my husband to miss a connection would be part of our protection.  The name of our policy, “Trip Protector” was perhaps a misnomer.

Our verse for today is better than any insurance plan.  There is nothing that cannot be covered by God’s love and faithfulness for His children.  We do not pay for this protection nor do we earn it by our devotion to Him.  Thankfully, in His mercy He does not give us what we deserve.  We cannot lay claim to anything.  It is out of His love and faithfulness that He protects His own.

David wrote this psalm in praise to the One who is his help and deliverer (verse 17).  He experienced troubles so numerous he described them as being “without number.” (verse 12)  God’s protection does not mean that life is trouble free!  David was continually plagued with enemies.  He felt as if his sins were overtaking him.  But rather than stay in that place of fear and insecurity, he calls on the Lord and the Lord reassures him.

I will continue to buy insurance and take other safety measures, of course.  But my biggest source of coverage is His powerful hand.  I can trust His good and loving control.

Thank you Lord, that I can relax in Your merciful protection.


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Insomnia

Scripture for Today: Psalm 121:3-4 “He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.”

I am not sure what this stork is doing up in the middle of the night.  It certainly is not normal.  I am not sure what I am doing up in the middle of the night.  Thankfully, it is not normal for me either.  New mothers especially can be prone to insomnia.  Listening for that newborn’s cry can make one’s own sleep illusive.  Perhaps this is what the image of the stork represents, awake in the light of the moon.  A new mother is a focused and watchful mother, heeding every whimper and cry.

Our verse for today reassures us of the watchful care of our Heavenly Father.  He is awake and vigilant at all times, needing no sleep.  His care is constant and we never have to wonder if He is aware.  Nothing gets past Him.  He is never inattentive to the needs of His children.  This short psalm of eight verses reaffirms five times that He watches over us.  He keeps us from harm and watches over our comings and goings.

Being aware of His care and watchfulness gives me a real sense of peace throughout my day.  He is the Source of my help (verse 1) and He runs to me at my first feeble cry.  Like a new mother, He is listening for my cry for help.  But unlike a new mother, He is the Maker of heaven and earth with all the power to help and protect me.  I can trust that care and entrust to Him my very life.

Lord, thank you for Your watchful care.  I am amazed that You love me that much!

 


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Mind the Gap

Scripture for Today: James 4:8 “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

I am not often in England, but when I am, two warning signs have proved very important: “Look Right,” and “Mind The Gap.”  When crossing a street it is automatic for me to look left for oncoming traffic.  As the British drive on the other side, I need to remember to check the opposite direction!  The sign, “Mind The Gap” warns the rail passenger to watch their step.  It is too easy to fall into that space between the station platform and the train.

Today’s verse is a wonderful promise that God will draw near to us when we make the effort to draw near to Him.  We often feel there is a “gap” or distance between us.  How often the Lord has felt far away!  Yet, according to His promise, He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).  Even so, there are times when He does not feel close by and the gap is felt.  The reason is clear.  His love is unconditional for His children, but when we rebel and disobey we are moving away from that love.  When we obey His commandments, we remain in His love (John 15:10).

The truth is, He does not move, I do.  But in His compassion for me, He reassures me with His closeness when I confess and agree with Him about my sin.  Our relationship is renewed each time I humble myself in honest confession.  If I am feeling far away from Him, the solution is clear.  He is waiting for me to come clean.

Thank you Lord, for the intimacy of Your love!  May I feel Your nearness today.

 


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Shadows

Scripture for Today:  James 1:17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

The changes in light can make for some interesting photography, one of my husband’s passions.  Shadows add depth and interest to any photo.  When shadows shift and change, the whole look and mood of a scene changes.

With the Lord there is no changing or shifting shadows.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever!  (Hebrews 8:13)  Everything I learn about who He is in the Bible is true today and will be true tomorrow.  He is the same powerful and miraculous God!

We however, are constantly in a state of change.  Our circumstances change, our thinking changes and our abilities change with age.  My emotions change with the weather!  I agree with the quote, “There is nothing permanent except change.”  But it is not true when we speak of our Heavenly Father.  He does not improve with age.  He does not change His plans for us!

It is a comfort to know He does not change.  There is security in this assurance.  I do not serve a capricious God.  He will always be true to His word and to who He is.  I do not have to worry if He will be faithful or not, holy or not, just or not.  I can ALWAYS count on Him.  The fact that there is no shadow of turning with Him means that He is worthy of my trust and confidence tomorrow as well as today.

Thank you, Lord for being who You are and for always being true to Yourself!