Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Flower Images


by Leave a comment

The Morning Dew

Scripture for Today:  Hosea 6:4  “What can I do with you, Ephraim?  What can I do with you, Judah?  Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.”

Is there anything prettier than dew kissing the fragile petals of a rose? That moisture on the leaves and petals not only looks pretty but is important to counteracting the heat later in the day. I love cutting them and bringing them into the house! But of course, I do not bring them inside if they are still wet with dew. Handling any plant when wet is never a good idea as this is when they are most fragile. Better to leave them undisturbed while they soak up that moisture.

Today’s verse is addressed to two tribes of Israel. They knew to make sacrifices and burnt offerings but they did not show mercy to others nor did they acknowledge God. It was just routine and tradition. Their love for the Lord was as transient as morning dew or morning mist which quickly disappears. This verse describes the Israelite’s unfaithfulness to God, a common theme in Hosea often using the example of a wayward wife.

I can identify with a love that disappears like morning dew. In the morning when I read His Word and talk with Him, I can be satisfied with His unfailing love (Psalm 90:14). But as I go throughout my day, that closeness can seem to evaporate in the distractions of a busy day. And sometimes it is easy to look at my time with the Lord as an obligation to be crossed off a list. But He is not interested in empty ritual but in meaningful relationship. Thankfully, despite how fickle I am, His love does not dissipate. He continues to tap my shoulder with His love and remind me that He is there.

Thank you Lord, that I can count on Your love all day.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2021)


by Leave a comment

Chocolate Iris?

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:4-5 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power.”

This is a surprising color for an iris! And its name reflects the color: “Dutch Chocolate.” But in fact, the iris comes in an array of different colors, including a deep purple that looks black. The wide diversity of colors makes sense as the word, “iris” originally meant “rainbow” in Greek. In the language of flowers, the iris symbolizes eloquence. And its three petal segments are said to represent faith, wisdom, and valor.

There is faith and wisdom in today’s verse as well as courage to speak the truth. There is not however any eloquence. Wise sounding words can be empty. Persuasive words can be negated by hypocrisy.  But Paul explains that his message did not need either as his words were a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. Paul never claimed to be eloquent in his speech. Because he spoke simply, God’s power was evident. And he resisted the temptation to speak only what “itchy ears” wanted to hear (II Tim. 4:3).

My faith does not rest on a fancy discourse or the latest fad or book. Human wisdom can never replace the power of God’s Words. It is not what exact words are used but God’s Spirit who helps me understand (verse 12). He is the One that explains spiritual realities to me (verse 13). And His Spirit uses my words of testimony even when I am not eloquent. I may not feel strong or confident in sharing the Gospel. But thankfully, His power does not depend on my word choice!  His power is evident not because of me but in spite of me!

Thank you Lord, that my faith rests on Your power.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


by 2 Comments

Easter Lily

Scripture for Today: Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Growing up, my Mother’s Easter table was often graced with this lily. This beautiful flower is also called, “white-robed apostles of hope.” There is symbolism in the white color representing the purity of Christ.  The trumpet shape of the flower brings to mind the trumpeting of the message of resurrection. But what impresses me is that all this beauty could come from a dirty unremarkable bulb. For at least three years its bulb stays underground in the dark before bursting forth to flower.

Today’s verse comes from a discussion Jesus had with the Pharisees asking for a sign. Here, Jesus predicts the three days He will spend in the heart of the earth following His death. Those three days were not unlike what Jonah experienced. It was during those three days that despair was so keenly felt by all who had hoped in Christ. All who had looked to Jesus to be their deliverer must have felt betrayed and defeated. It looked as if Satan had won. But then…death could not hold him!

There may be three dark days, three dark years or even thirty during which He may ask me to wait for a positive outcome. But because of Christ’s resurrection, I have hope. His victory over death ensures mine. And even the darkest time can be seen as “momentary” compared to the glorious future He has prepared for me! (II Cor. 4:17) One day I will shed this dirty bulb-like body and burst forth, flowering for an eternity in a new resurrected body! All because He died and rose again for me. His resurrection gives me new life, eternal life and life now that can be abundant!

Thank you Lord, for the hope You give.


by Leave a comment

Dayspring

Scripture for Today: Luke 1:78-79 “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

How wonderful to celebrate the arrival of Spring this week! This welcomed season was originally called, “lent,” as a derivative of the German word, “langitinaz,” meaning lengthening of days. And I do enjoy the additional daylight! From the 14th century on, the name was changed to “springing time” to mark the resurgence of plant growth. Spring in latin is “tempus primum” meaning first season. And Spring was first in the Roman calendar. It makes sense then that this season signals for many a fresh start!

Today’s verse has a rising sun, which in other translations is called “Dayspring.” These verses come from the newly loosened tongue of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prophesying John’s role in preparing the way for the coming Dayspring from Heaven. Jesus is our Dayspring, shining light in a world darkened by sin and brokenness. He is sent to us out of the tender mercy of our God, making a way to establish peace between God and mankind.

Spring, with the lengthening daylight hours, with dormant growth coming to life, and with the offering of a new beginning is also a beautiful picture of Jesus. He has brought newness of life to me and a reason to have hope. What can look dead and gone can be given a new season of growth. Instead of being in the shadow of death, I can enjoy the light of His continual presence. One day, I will live without interruption in the warmth and sunshine of that Dayspring!

Thank you Lord for spring and the small glimpse of what is to come!


by Leave a comment

The Hyssop Flower

Scripture for Today: Exodus 12:22 “Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning.”

This field of hyssop is stunning! This flower is native to the Middle East and Southern Europe and it is in the mint family. The leaves are used in herbal medicine and in cooking. And did you know that it is one of the very few flowers mentioned in the Bible? Its twigs were used in rites of purification. This must be why today the flower has come to symbolize sacrifice, repentance, humility, purity, cleansing and health!

Today’s verse records its first mention in the Bible. Moses told the Israelites to use the twigs of the hyssop to put the blood of their sacrificed Passover lamb on the doorway of their homes. When in God’s judgement the firstborn of each family died that night, those with the blood of the lamb were passed over and spared. This was the last and most severe of the plagues on the Egyptians and the Israelites were finally allowed to go.

I am thankful that believers today are not under the former sacrificial system. There is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). But because Christ bled and died for me, He has become my sacrificial Lamb. And His sacrifice is once for all! (Heb. 7:27) He paid my debt. He absorbed and satisfied God’s holy wrath against my sin. I am no longer under that condemnation I deserve because of His great love!

Thank you Lord, for Your loving sacrifice for me!