Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Faithfulness


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The Pledge

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.”

by clotho 98 at https://www.flickr.com/photos/clotho98/4948369338

The gesture pictured on this magazine cover is a common one in North America among scouts. Before a girl or boy can become a scout a pledge must be voiced. “On my honor I promise to do my best….” Following are three praiseworthy statements regarding duty, helpfulness and obedience. The principles written in the scout’s honor pledge are lofty and difficult to consistently follow. It is interesting to have the disclaimer as part of the pledge…”to do my best.” There is resolve and commitment but a recognition as well that one cannot perfectly fulfill this pledge.

Today’s verse is a wonderful assurance that everything God says is right and true. He is faithful to His Word and there is no need for any disclaimer! He never says, “I will try to do my best,” or “I will do the best I can.” He is powerful enough to make all His words become a reality. If He says something will happen, then it will. We never have to wonder whether He will go back on His Word. We never have to wonder if what He says is right. His purpose statements are not just good intentions but unshakeable truth.

I can and do build my life on His Word, being that it is rock solid truth. He will always perfectly fulfill His pledge to me. His Word is not only faithful and true but powerful beyond comprehension! After all, it was by His Word that the heavens were made! (verse 6) In a world where words are cheap and promises are broken, how amazing it is to be able to count on everything He says! And what He says is so good and loving.

Thank you Lord for the certainty that everything You say is right and true!


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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!