Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Sea Salt

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 3:7-8 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

How odd to see this pile of salt on the shores of the Dead Sea!  Sea salt has enjoyed much popularity with its different taste and texture.  Depending on the water source there are different levels of trace minerals and elements left behind in the processing, changing the flavor and color.  It is thought by some to restore one’s skin, fight aging and support one’s health in general.

Today’s verse has a different notion entirely for what brings health to the body and nourishment to the bones.  Pride in our own wisdom is not part of this prescription.  But when one fears the Lord and turns their back on evil then there is a positive physical result!  So much of poor health can be the result of poor life choices.  And flirting with sin can have some dire consequences.  But it is always a good choice to fear and obey the Lord and stay away from all that is evil.

I love that the Lord shows concern for our whole being.  He is not only interested in the spiritual but in the physical too.  He cares when I run down my body with too little sleep.  He is not indifferent to the problems I face with weight gain.  He desires that I live a healthy lifestyle as a believer as my body is His temple (I Cor. 6:19).  Fearing and obeying His commands can keep me out of a world of danger as well.  His warnings against evil are not to spoil my fun but because He wants the very best for me.

Thank you Lord, for loving all of me!


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Kintsugi

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 119:49-50 “Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”

This bowl went from broken to beautiful!  The art of golden joinery is the definition of the Japanese word, “kintsugi.”  Fragmented and broken pottery or ceramics are repaired in this process by filling the holes and cracks with a resin mixed with gold, silver or platinum.  What used to be broken pieces thought to be worthless become a thing of beauty!  The very brokenness makes the item become more precious and valuable!

Today’s verse is a comfort and reassurance when going through suffering.  There is hope.  The author of this psalm was experiencing ridicule (vs. 51).  There was intense pressure from the wicked and perhaps he felt himself cracking from it. He vows to stay faithful to the Lord through it all.  In the night he reminds himself of who God is (vs. 55) and he resolves to stay the course.  Through all the pain he remains hopeful because of God’s promises.

It is hope that brings me through the darkest times of my life.  I can feel forgotten, rotten and dead inside just like David did when he described himself as “broken pottery” (Ps. 31:12).  But then, there are the promises of God.  Whatever feels broken He can repair.  More than that, He transforms our very brokenness into something useful and a thing of beauty.  Nothing is too hard for Him or beyond the skill of His capable hands.  He works in the good where everything went bad.  That stupid decision, that utter failure or that shame at letting Him down is all part of a pattern that He redeems and makes beautiful.  This is my hope.

Thank you Lord, that Your promises give me hope.

 

 


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Death Zone

Scripture for Today: Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me, the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

What an awe-inspiring scene this is on Mount Everest!  The grandeur and magnificence of these mountains have drawn many experienced climbers to its heights.  But unfortunately, ten climbers have already died this year alone.  They were found in what is called the “death zone” where oxygen is scarce.  Anywhere above 26,000 feet is part of that zone where the air is so thin that even supplemental oxygen is sometimes not enough.  The human body is just not made to function at the cruising altitude of a 747!

Today’s verse recognizes the source of life and breath.  It is the Spirit of God who created us.  It is the breath of the Almighty that gives us life.  At the very dawn of mankind, it was God who breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life (Gen. 2:7).  There is no life apart from His breath.  And just as this is true in the physical sense, so it is true spiritually  The Spirit of God breathes life to our souls.  Where before we were dead, He has made us alive (Eph. 2:5).

My relationship with Christ is as necessary to me as the air I breathe!  But frankly, I do not always feel His presence.  Perhaps there are “death zones” for me where the spiritual air is scarce.  He promises to never leave me (Heb.13:5) but I can be indifferent to Him.  I can be gasping for breath when I immerse myself in the world and its values.  But when I turn back to Him, He breathes into me renewed love and forgiveness.  “This is the air I breathe, Your holy presence living in me.”

Come Holy Spirit and breathe on me today.


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The Earthworm

Scripture for Today: Psalm 22:6 “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.”

Earthworms are disgusting whatever their size!  But this one is small compared to the one discovered in South Africa at twenty-two feet!  There are 2,700 different kinds of this slimy creature but their role in nature is amazing.   They till and aerate the soil, making it more fertile.  They have no lungs, breathing through their moist skin.  There is no love lost for the worm on my part, but they have love to spare having no fewer than five hearts!  And of course, fish love the taste of a fat worm!

Today’s verse sees King David in a pity party.  He feels as lowly as the worm, scorned, and despised by the very people he serves.  He is insulted and mocked and the people shook their heads at him.  Like Christ would later experience on the cross, David felt abandoned and forsaken by God.  But the pity party is short-lived as David turns his troubling thoughts into a plea for strength, deliverance and rescue (verses 19-21).  David begins this psalm feeling like a worm but then realizes that God has not despised or scorned him (verse 24).

I remember singing as a child the Worm Song; “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me.  Guess I’ll go eat worms…”  I have not felt sorry enough for myself to resort to eating worms, but I can relate to what David was feeling.  When I feel misunderstood or ill treated, I can easily fall into that unhappy “poor me” state.  How gracious the Lord is to care and lift my head (Ps. 3:3).  His love for me is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 103:17) and remembering that changes everything!

Thank you Lord, that Your love lifts me up!


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Hospital Gown

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:9 “All my longings lie open before You, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You.”

Is there anything more humiliating than wearing that infamous hospital gown?  I feel for this little pooch looking so forlorn.  Modesty goes out the window in a doctor’s examining room.  But at least there is a hospital gown.  Often in French doctors’ examining rooms nothing is offered to cover up!  One feels so open and exposed, and the indignity one feels is intensified when not feeling well.

Today’s verse tells us that nothing is hidden from the Lord.  David understands that there is not a longing or heart-felt sigh that is hidden from Him.  He sees our innermost being, knowing even our words before we speak them (Psalm 139:4).  He has searched us and known us even from the time we were in our mother’s womb.  Even at that early stage, our frame was not hidden from Him (Psalm 139:15).

Does His knowledge of me frighten me or make me uncomfortable?  To have every motive of my heart open to the Lord can be a disturbing thought.  There is no hiding behind lofty prayers or religious traditions.  He knows exactly what I am thinking and feeling.  But as His child, this intimate knowledge is a real comfort.  He understands the fumbling prayer that finds no words.  He hears the anguished cry of my heart for lost family and friends.  He knows the sadness I feel with that deep sigh.  And every unfulfilled longing that hides out in a corner of my heart is open to Him.  Oh yes.  He is my comfort because He knows and understands.

Thank you Lord, that You know me like no other and love me anyway!