Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Flower Images


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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!


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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!


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Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Scripture for Today: I Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

I never quite understood the common name of this flower, “Jack-in-the Pulpit.” That is, until seeing these pulpits in the beautiful cathedrals of France. A pouch-shaped spathe is similar to a pulpit and the overhanging hood surrounds, “Jack,” the fingerlike central spadix. The acoustics in these cavernous buildings with their high ceilings would not be conducive to hearing the message preached. That covering overhead actually helped the sound travel without too much echoing.

Today’s verse explains how a message of hope can be lost. When the believer reveres Christ as his Lord, he will want to share the hope that Christ gives. When others see that hope in our lives, it can stimulate questions for the one watching. But when we answer those questions, we need to be careful to do so with a gentle and not condemning spirit. Sharing the hope of Christ is done with respect for the individual.

The challenge for me is to live in such a way that people will see and ask about the hope that makes my life different. Those early Christians were suffering for their faith in Christ and it was in this context that their hope shone brightly. And today, although my suffering may take a different form, it is also in suffering that people see my hope holding me up and making me strong. Hope in Christ and my future in Him is the anchor of my soul! (Heb. 6:19)

Thank you Lord, that You are my reason to hope.


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The Forget-Me-Not

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:2 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

This sweet blue flower was described by Henry Thoreau as “unpretending” and “modest.” Their name is said to come from an old German legend where God named all the plants. But this tiny one cried out, “Forget me not, O Lord!” So God replied, “That shall be your name.” They are small being only one centimeter or less in diameter. King Henry IV used this flower as a symbol during his exile in 1398. And ladies in medieval times wore this flower as a sign of faithful love.

Today’s verse tells us to “forget not” all His benefits. This passage goes on to list just a few including forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion and satisfaction. David is reminding his soul to praise the Lord for what He has done for him and to remember. David knew of God’s ways with Moses and His miraculous deeds with the people of Israel. But he also experienced God’s grace in his own life.  And like so many of us, his soul was forgetful and needed reminding.

How could I forget these incredible benefits in my own life? It is really very easy. I forget His forgiveness when I am plagued with guilt. I forget His healing when doubt clouds my prayers. When I feel worthless I forget that He thought enough of me to redeem my soul. I forget His love when I beat myself up. When I wonder if He cares what I am going through I am forgetting His compassion. I forget that only He satisfies the deepest longings of my soul when I look for that satisfaction elsewhere.

Lord, do not let me forget today!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2019)


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The Hibiscus

Scripture for Today: II Peter 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends; with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

The hibiscus is such an exotic-looking flower. It is large and showy and comes from a large family comprising several hundred species. This flower is also called the “rose of sharon” and mentioned in the Bible (Song of Songs 2:1) But those bright colorful blooms are short-lived, typically blooming for only one day. Once finished blooming, the flower will close up and drop off. One day of vibrant color and life. Just one day.

Today’s verse reminds us of the eternal nature of our God. He is not bound by time constraints. He is outside of time. A day can be like a thousand years or a thousand years can pass by like a day. So perhaps in God’s sight, that bloom lasts a thousand years! This reminder served to encourage the believers that God is not slow about fulfilling His promise to return. When it seems so, it is because in His love and patience He waits to include more of us in His family.

I need this reminder. I get weary of waiting to see everything fulfilled that He has promised. But His Word is always true and sure. And it is in the waiting that my faith is tested and tried. In the meantime, God gives me so many gracious reassurances of His love and direction! Over and over He has come through in what can only be called a “God thing!” I know and can be confident that every promise regarding the future will be fulfilled in His perfect timing!

Thank you Lord, that You are true to Your Word!

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