Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Stork Sightings

Scripture for Today:Psalm 84:2 “My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

How fun to be back in the land of the storks!  Here on the French/German border I see them daily on my walks and they always take my breath away, soaring above my head or foraging in the fields.  There are lots of beliefs and legends surrounding this magnificent bird.  In ancient Egypt a stork was used as a hieroglyph for the “Ba”or “soul.”  And in Germany storks have long been protected because of the belief that their souls were human!

Today’s verse describes a soul that yearns and even faints for the presence of the Lord.  The soul of man is created to have intimate relationship with his Creator.  The courts of the Lord are a lovely place (verse 1).  Being in His courts for even just one day is better than a thousand days anywhere else! (verse 10)  We are told to “dwell” in His house as a sparrow and swallow would nest in her home (verse 3).  This is not just a Sunday church experience but a daily closeness with Him.  Those that dwell in His house are happy and blessed, praising Him for His goodness (verse 4).

I know I am far from His house or presence when I am dissatisfied and negative.  When I am feeling far away from my Creator, there is a lack of joy and praising Him is not a natural impulse.  When I have had enough of my own company I feel my soul being drawn again to His wonderful and lovely presence.  I yearn for those soft sweet whispers of love and reassurance.

Thank you Lord, that You always welcome me back to Your presence!

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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Arundel Tomb

Scripture for Today: Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

I walked right past these amazing effigies at the Chichester Cathedral in England, not realizing I was related!  Meet Eleanor of Lancaster, my 18th Great Grand Aunt!  She was the great granddaughter of King Henry the III and is dressed as a noblewoman with gown, veil and wimple.  Beside her lies her husband Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, dressed in the armor of a knight.  They have been holding hands since 1376!  Their sweet posture inspired a poem by Philip Larkin called, “An Arundel Tomb” in which the poet declares, “What will survive of us is love.”

Today’s verse describes a love that will truly endure forever.  The Lord is good which means His love is a faithful love unlike any other; a love that will endure the test of time.  His love continues through all generations and into eternity!  It does not stop at the grave.  As beautiful as romantic love can be, it does not even compare to His incredible unconditional love for us!  No other love is as wide, long, high or deep as His love (Eph.3:18).

My problem is believing it.  Oh, I believe God’s love is true in principle.  But to really grasp that His love is always there, always deep, and always faithful can be a struggle.  The failings of human love cloud my understanding.  But His love never disappoints.  Its intensity never fluctuates.  When I am just not feeling it, He waits to reassure me through His Word.  He cared enough to write it down.  And He reassures my heart by pouring into it His love through His Spirit (Rom. 5:5).

Lord, reassure me of Your love today.

(Look familiar?  Summer reposing while reposting!)


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My Father’s Gift

Scripture for Today:Matthew 7:9-10 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”

My Dad loved to bowl which may explain how this happened.  For months as a young girl, I dropped many not-so-subtle hints about the expensive doll I had seen advertised.  That Christmas morning, trembling with excitement, I made a beeline for that big narrow box tagged with my name.  What keen disappointment I felt when unwrapping a toy bowling set instead of a doll!  My Father gave it out of love but it was not the good gift I was expecting.

Today’s passage explains that our Heavenly Father gives good gifts to His children when we ask Him (verse 11).  In answer to our prayers, He gives to His own exactly what is good for us.  He is not random nor is He arbitrary.  Our Father is a perfect Father.  He sees past what may be selfish or frivolous requests.  He answers the deeper need we sometimes do not even see.  And what is so amazing is that our Father is the unrecognized Source of much that is good in our lives!

I have heard people quip, “Be careful what you pray for, you just may get it.”  The idea is that we will be sorry we ever asked.  That does not describe my perfect heavenly Father.  What He gives me is out of love and always for my good.  If I mistakenly ask for a stone or a snake, He has committed Himself to giving only what is good for me.  I can trust His goodness in all of His answers.  I am so glad He sees what is good for me when I cannot.

Thank you Lord, for being a good good Father!


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Barn Sour

Scripture for Today: Psalm 32:8-9a “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule…”

If the path to the left leads back to the barn, these horses may show signs of being “barn sour.”  Once a barn sour horse is turned back toward home, he will pick up speed.  If left unchecked, he will gallop back to the barn like a madman!  Becoming barn sour could be the result of fears and insecurities being away from his comfort zone, or just plain stubbornness.

Today’s verse tells us not to be like a horse or mule.  They have no understanding and need the control of the bit and bridle.  We, on the other hand, have God’s promise to instruct and teach us in the way we should go.  The Lord promises to instruct those that fear Him in the ways they should choose (Psalm 25:12).  He promises to guide the humble (Psalm 25:9).  His loving eye is on us, seeing every choice we need to make.  He knows about every decision we face.  His counsel is always available if we are humble enough to seek it.

Quite frankly, I sometimes prefer being “barn sour.”  That way, I know I am returning to the comfortable and familiar.  But He does not always lead that way.  He is more interested in growing my faith and dependance on Him.  The path that He chooses may be more challenging, but it is a path with adventures that will bring me closer to Him!  His guidance and counsel is done with love.  And I can trust that He knows what He is doing even if it is away from my “comfort zone.”

Lord, thank you for your loving guidance.

 

 

 


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Colorless

Scripture for Today: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

They still allow toilet paper of different colors in France.  One can choose just the right shade to  coordinate with your bathroom decor!  Our white-only choices seem boring by comparison.  Recently, we in North America have gone from talking about toilet paper shortages to heated discussions regarding color.  As important as this dialogue is, there is one even more important; what color is our soul?

Today’s well-known verse declares that God loves His creation.  He loves the world and His offer of salvation is inclusive to “whoever believes.”  As divided as mankind is, the need for forgiveness through God’s Son is a need that we all share.  The value He places on each of us individually is so high that He was willing to sacrifice Jesus so we could be with Him for all eternity.  Deep down in every human is a soul that is colorless in that we have the exact same need of salvation.  The ground before the cross is level.  No one is more deserving than another despite race, economic advantage or educational background.

This is a truth that changes how I view others.  Because of God’s undeserved grace to me, I can extend this same grace to others.  There is no sin too grievous for Him to forgive.  When violating even one of God’s laws I am guilty of all (James 2:10).  This is the way we are all the same, needing His forgiveness and grace.  I do not want to focus on what separates us but rather on what unites us all in our shared need for Him!

Lord, thank you for Your all-inclusive love.