Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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Cactus Flower

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 43:19  “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

We have friends who are “desert rats!”  They are drawn to the remote immense spaces.  No matter that it is often dry and uninhabitable.  There is something about its harsh beauty that allows one to breathe after the congestion of the city.

It is always surprising to see flowers bloom on a cactus in the desert.  Its spiny surface seems incongruent with the fragile beauty of a flower petal.  Our God is so creative to plant something so delicate where we least expect it!

Our verse for today encourages us to look and see what God is doing.  We could miss it.  Because the cactus flower often opens with the sunlight but closes with dusk, passing by its beauty is easy to do!  In the same way, we can pass by unaware of what new thing God is creating.  He makes a way in the wilderness and streams in the wastelands.  He makes something beautiful in a dry barren place.

It is too easy to see only the negative.  I need to watch for what new thing God may be creating in me or in my circumstances.  Am I looking for that good He promises in Romans 8:28 or have I become accustomed to seeing only the trial?  Have I settled for something less than what God had intended for me?

Open the eyes of my heart Lord, so I can see the bigger picture of what You want to accomplish!  If it is good and beautiful I know it is Your doing!  Thank you, Lord, that no trial or pain is beyond Your reach to produce something positive and wonderful!


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Looking Back

looking back83Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:1  “I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.  To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.”

Today is the last day of the year.  Every year seems to pass by more and more quickly!  The television channels often have programs that summarize the entire year.  Each time I view these I am surprised at how much I have forgotten.  There are reminders of which celebrities have died.  There are the highs and lows of big news events.  And there are reports of new records set throughout the year.

Not everyone enjoys looking back.  Some things are better forgotten.  Reliving some of the negatives can be very depressing.  But looking back can help change our perspective.  With hind sight comes some understanding.  Problems that seemed insurmountable while living them take on a completely different light after some time has passed.

Our verse for today proclaims the faithfulness of the Lord.  This beautiful characteristic of our God is best seen when looking back.  Many times it is not until the trial is over that we see the positives.  It is often after the fact that we see God’s hand.  His faithfulness brings us through, developing patience, making us more like Him.  His faithfulness means we can count on His Word and His promises.  His faithfulness brings about that “good” that Romans 8:28 describes.

This past year He has been faithful.  He has been faithful every year.  I am confident He will be faithful next year!  It is His nature.  I can look back these last twelve months and pinpoint all the ways He has shown His faithfulness, not only to me but to my family and my friends.  Regardless of any negatives, He makes looking back a joy!  Great is His faithfulness!


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Under Guarantee?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:2  “I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You have established Your faithfulness in Heaven itself.”

Our egg cooker finally died.  It had a good run.  Because we do not use it all that much, it lasted a good seven years.  Of course, it was no longer under guarantee.

I have yet to meet an appliance that is guaranteed forever.  In fact, in production, there is usually a planned year when the appliance is expected to breakdown.  It is in the interest of the manufacturer that the consumer spend money to replace it!  And of course, most often it will happen after the guarantee has expired.  We shrug our shoulders and say that nothing lasts forever!

Our verse for today contains a truth I want to declare today and every day of my life.  The love of God lasts forever!  Regardless of our limited perception, His love is faithful.  His love is firmly established and nothing can shake it!  How could the psalmist, David, declare such a thing?  His life was not easy.  Circumstances must have tempted him to doubt this truth.  He lost his baby son.  Yet he continued to believe in the love of God.

Over and over in Scripture God proclaims His love for me.  His Word often reads like a love letter.  There is nothing that can separate me from His constant and unconditional love.  Unlike any human relationship, it is under guarantee!  He has committed Himself to me and He is faithful.  He created me for this relationship.  All other loves in this life pale in comparison.

In our fallen world filled with broken relationships, sin and sickness, it is easy to lose sight of His love.  But today, regardless of the hard times, I declare His love for me!


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Feedback Speakers

Scripture for Today: Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share in your master’s happiness.’

During rehearsals and concerts for my French Gospel choir, Joie Et Vie, these feedback speakers play an important role.  When they are working well, they let us know when the balance is good.  If the altos are overshadowing the sopranos, the speakers give us that feedback so adjustments can be made with the microphones.  If the altos are flat, we can hear ourselves and self correct!  Without those speakers, we cannot hear ourselves.  It is amazing how that affects one’s morale.  We can be singing our hearts out, but without any feedback, it falls flat and our enthusiasm is dampened.

The context of our verse for today is the parable of the talents taught by Jesus.  The master of the house, after being away, calls for an accounting from each of his servants.  He commends two of them for their faithfulness in increasing what was entrusted to them.  Not only were they commended but they were rewarded with more responsibility.

One day, I hope to hear the same words of this verse when entering His presence.  But I need feedback today too.  Positive feedback from Him is motivating!  But how does He communicate that feedback?  Many times it is through His reassuring Word.  Sometimes it can be through the encouragement of other believers.  More often, I just feel a closer sense of His presence.  His love  and strength seem more real somehow.  Intimacy and connection feel deeper.  There have been times I have even felt His pleasure!

Feedback or not, Lord, may I be found faithful to the end!


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Old Faithful

Scripture for Today: Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

I can still remember seeing Old Faithful, the geyser at Yellowstone National Park as a little girl with my family.  This geyser was named for its frequent and regular eruptions  The rangers can predict with amazing accuracy the next “show.”  We sat in front row seats and saw nature’s impressive display!  That boiling water can shoot in the air as high as 184 feet!

It has only been recently that scientists have understood the underground workings of a geyser.  Old Faithful has a huge egg-shaped chamber 50 feet underground.  This cavern, which never completely empties, is what feeds the conduit leading to the geyser.  As a young girl, I was more interested in what I could see above ground.

Our verse for today speaks of God’s faithfulness.  My hope is built on the certainty of His faithfulness to do as He has promised.  But to be honest, there are times when I am tempted to waver.  That is because I do not always see Him at work.  Like the hidden underground cavern that feeds a geyser, I am not always privy to what He is doing and how He is working.  But He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself (II Timothy 2:13).  What He has promised, He will do.

Contemplating His faithfulness is what makes faith stronger.  It is said of Sarah in Hebrews 11:11 that because she considered God to be faithful, she would believe that He would work the miracle He had promised.  Her faith grew when she considered His faithfulness.

My faith can grow and my hope can be unwavering when I meditate on His faithfulness.  Thank you, Lord, that because You are faithful, I can hold on tight no matter what!