Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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Swaddled Babies

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:18a-19 “Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

What an unusual orchid! At a certain stage of opening, this flower looks a lot like a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth! The Swaddled Babies orchid is found in the Andes region around Ecuador, Columbia and Venezuela. It is also referred to as Tulip Orchid and Baby in the Cradle. Perhaps growing this orchid would have a calming effect. I know swaddling did with our second grandson. From flailing arms and distress to instant calm, swaddling brought immediate relief to his anxiety.

Today’s verse speaks of God’s consolation in the face of great anxiety. The psalmist felt that his foot was slipping and he was about to fall (verse 18). His anxiety was a direct result of wicked men and he acknowledged God’s help (verse 17). He felt supported and held up by God’s unfailing love. It was this consolation that turned his anxiety into joy. Like the swaddling, the psalmist was wrapped up and supported in God’s faithful love.

I may not have the same kind of enemies, but I often feel anxiety as the pace of life is so rapid I can feel unstable. I need to feel the arms of the Lord wrapped tightly around me, loving and supporting me. When I feel His love to that extent, then I can calm down and even feel joy! Whatever changes I am experiencing or am likely to experience, I can have joyful confidence in God’s swaddling comfort. His love and presence is the consolation I so desperately need. Like a swaddled baby, I can stop fussing!

Thank you Lord, for consoling me.


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Do You Smell Lemons?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 27:9 “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”

We have all heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” For the Crested Auklet seabird in Alaskan waters, the smell of lemons is a good thing! This gregarious bird does not attract a mate with its noisy honking, barking or whistling. It attracts a mate by secreting a strong citrus smell during breeding season! The scent is so strong that it is noticeable some distance away from the bird colonies.

Today’s verse acknowledges the joy that can come from a good pleasing scent. This proverb likens that pleasing smell to the pleasantness of hearing good advice from a true friend. Heartfelt advice is advice that is sincere and disinterested, not looking for personal advantage. Giving advice to a friend puts one squarely in a place of obligation and caring. There is no agenda nor are there hurt feelings if the advice is not taken. Heartfelt advice is motivated by simply wanting the best for the other. Asked for or not, advice from the heart shows thoughtful concern.

Quite frankly, I am not always open to advice, heartfelt or otherwise. There are plenty of times that I think I know better. And sometimes I do. But when a suggestion comes from someone’s heart, sincere and earnest in the spirit of friendship, I am more likely to consider it. That offered advice usually shows true friendship and a willingness to get involved. And when I do the same for a friend and it is well received, the friendship grows stronger. That give and take brings joy and we both smell good!

Thank you Lord, for the counsel of true friends.


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Mayday

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:17 “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”

Photo Credit: Christian Ferrer /CC BY 4.0

It was a very rough start to this cruise taken on the MV Viking Sky in March of 2019. The storm in Norway was manageable in principle. But she suffered a loss of oil pressure causing an automatic shutdown of all engines. The mayday distress signal was issued at 14:00 and was not lifted until 15:11 the next day. And in that time period, 30 helicopter trips evacuated 479 passengers. Their mayday signal, repeated three times in a row, understandably had priority over all other calls!

Today’s verse is a distress call to God repeated three times: morning, noon and night. David refers to his troubles like a tempest and storm (verse 8). He is distraught because of his enemies but he refers to just one in particular; a companion, a close friend (verse 13). The betrayal of a so-called friend is what is fueling David’s anguish. But David’s cry to God results in casting his cares on the Lord (verse 22). He ends this distress call with trust that God will take care of the wicked men in his life (verse 23).

There will always be those who oppose God and do evil. The storms in my life can sometimes be traced back to the waves and strong winds they have caused. But what causes more distress, prompting that mayday call, is the betrayal of a friend. Coming from an unexpected source makes it all the more painful. A cry for help is the best response I can make. And like David, I can end my prayer with trust. The Lord knows, He cares, He will sustain me and in His justice, He will take care of it.

Thank you Lord, for always hearing my cry.


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Penny Farthing Bicycle

Scripture for Today: II Timothy 4:5 “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Fjmustak, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With each pedal stroke, this gentleman can travel great distances, as much as 15 feet! That is because of the huge size of that front wheel. And even though he is rolling on cobblestone, his ride is smooth. But despite these advantages, the Penny Farthing bicycle, created in the 1870’s, is not safe. As he sits so high and nearly over the front axel, he is prone to pitching over those mustache handlebars head first and landing on his head!

Today’s verse is a charge to Timothy from his mentor, Paul. He is told to “keep his head.” The idea is to always be steady and clear headed. Despite unexpected hardship, Timothy is encouraged to stay calm, cool and steady. Timothy is warned that soon, sound doctrine and truth will no longer be welcomed. His listeners will prefer myths and what is easy to hear (verses 3-4). But he is to remain faithful to what God has called him to do, just as Paul had been.

I could lose my head in only listening to what is easy and pleasing, ignoring the doctrines and meat of God’s Word. If I were to take that easy route, I would be unprepared for any kind of hardship. Suffering, trials and difficulties are all part of my Christian walk and the best way I know to meet them head on is to know what God says. I may never understand the “why” of that unexpected hardship. But by staying in His Word, I can be assured of God’s love and faithfulness through it.

Thank you Lord, that You help me keep my head!


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Pushed Around!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:13 “I was pushed back and about to fall but the Lord helped me.”

https://www.flickr.com/photos/4elevenpix/5056089861

Cliff diving is scary enough without being pushed from behind! This perhaps playful scene took place on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. Maybe the diver needed a little push. Maybe not!! In any case, being pushed from behind could be unexpected and throw one off balance. And being pushed around by others would certainly create trust issues.

Today’s verse is a call to praise for God’s deliverance from enemies. The Lord’s right hand had done mighty things (verse 16) one of which was protection from falling. Enemies push hard. But our God is trustworthy and catches us when we are about to fall. Trusting in God is better than trusting in humans (verse 8) or even in princes (verse 9). This psalm is full of shouts of victory and triumph over enemies. God is our strength, defense and salvation. He does not disappoint.

Enemies today push just as hard. The scorn and mocking of a colleague at work may destabilize me. Someone I am counting on for help may let me down. I am thrown off balance when a friend or family member betrays a confidence. I can be blindsided by someone who publicly denounces me. I am disappointed and surprised when pushed around by those I thought I could trust. We all let each other down and often times inadvertently. But the Lord will never let me down. I can always take refuge in Him. He is there to break my fall. The Lord will never betray my trust. His help is always available to place me firmly back on my feet. How wonderful to know that I can always count on Him!

Thank you Lord, that even when pushed, You will not let me fall when I place my trust in You.