Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Love


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Playgrounds

Scripture for Today:  Zechariah 8:4-5  “….Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with a cane in hand because of their age.  The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

Probably if my Mother ever knew she would be horrified!  When I was very little, I used to play marbles in the middle of the street.  There was a manhole with grooves perfect for all kinds of creative play with marbles.  My friend and I lost a few, but it seemed a fun past time for two bored kids.  We did lots of looking over our shoulders for on-coming cars, but managed to survive the experience.  Thankfully, ours was the last street of a neighborhood so there was not much traffic.  Even so, the issue of safety did not concern us much.

Our verse for today is one of ten promises of blessing for the Jerusalem of the Messianic Age.  The description of peace and safety is beautiful and even idyllic.  There will be no more threats from invading enemies.  No longer will lives be cut short.  Children can once again play safely in the streets.  I love that the Lord concerns Himself with children and their quality of life.  Isaiah 11:6-9 also describes our future peace and safety with the image of children playing.  A little child will lead a lion, children will play near cobras and even a hand stuck in a viper’s nest will not come to any harm.  What a beautiful future belongs to children in a world without attack or disaster!

Imagine sending the children or grandchildren out to play without any worries!  I am so thankful for our loving Lord who does more than we can ever ask or imagine.


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Stairs

IMG_20140408_174226Scripture for Today:  Gen.28:16 “When Jacob awoke from his sleep he thought, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.'”

In every European home we have lived in, there have been stairs.  In our current home there are three sets and climbing them continually throughout the day gives a great unintentional workout!  I try not to go up or down these stairs without something in my hand that needs moving.  Inevitably, something needed is forgotten upstairs or down that means another trip.

Our verse for today comes after Jacob’s vision of stairs ascending into Heaven.  Jacob was on the run from his brother’s murderous rage.  He was far from home and in need of reassurance.  God was gracious to Jacob in sending this vision of stairs.  It symbolized the direct communication possible between God and humanity.  God repeated His promise of blessing to Jacob.  He promised Jacob that He would be with him and watch over him.  Jacob awoke from this vision with a new certainty of the Lord’s presence!

We do not normally have visions of stairs but we do have these same promises from God’s Word.  He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5) and will be with us even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20).  The Lord is surely in the place where I am as He is omnipresent.  I would not want to flee His presence even if it were possible! (Psalm 139)

Jesus is like that stairway as He bridges the gap between man and God.  Because of His great love for me, He descended from Heaven in search of a relationship with me!  What an amazing and humbling thought!  Each time I climb those stairs, remind me Lord, of your reassuring presence in this place!

 

 


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Hiding

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place.  You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

What is it about cats and bags?  Every time I put away groceries I throw the empty bags on the floor, much to our Tiger’s delight.  He runs so quickly to hide in one of them that he and the bag slide across the floor!  Inside that bag he feels secure and invincible!  In his little cat brain he probably thinks no one can see him.  But when that bag starts moving across the tiles it is a dead give-away!

Our verse for today describes a different hiding place; the Lord Himself.  David has been hiding from God, unwilling to acknowledge his sin.  As with Adam and Eve, our first instinct with unconfessed sin is to hide from God.  Now that David has confessed everything, he is hiding in God.  He is hiding in His sure love and forgiveness.  He describes God’s love in verse 10 as a love that surrounds him.  There are songs and praise as those seeing and hearing of David’s deliverance celebrate the victory with him.

Hiding from God does not work.  Hiding behind a false sense of self sufficiency does not either.  But hiding in Him means protection and sure deliverance!  In Him is found such security.  His love is my retreat.  In His presence there is no fear of what man can do to me.  Whatever “mighty waters” (verse 6) may be in my future, they will not overwhelm me when I am hiding in Him.  He will fill my heart with song and praise as He proves Himself trustworthy yet again.

Thank you Lord, for hiding me in Your love.  It is such a good place to be!


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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?   We enjoy our rose bushes but I do not always know the best way to care for them.  My landlord kindly helps me with pruning and gives me tips.  I love cutting them and bringing them into the house!  They are so fragrant and add a touch of class.  But of course, I do not bring them inside if they are still wet with dew.

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 which quickly disappears.  The book of Hosea is the story of the Israelites’ unfaithfulness to God, just like 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.  His love is constant, but mine…not so much.  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, He continues to tap my shoulder with His love.  He reminds me He is there.

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


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Fearless!

Scripture for Today:  I John 4:18  “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

My sister had a cat named, Angel.  With a name like that, she must have thought she could fly!  She would chase birds on the apartment balcony risking life and limb by running along the railings.  One day, the inevitable happened.  She lunged for a pigeon and lost her balance, falling seven stories!  Thankfully, she fell on a patch of grass.  Her tummy and knees were grass stained.  She was sore and grumpy for a few days but that was all.  Most surprising was Angel’s quick return to her favorite past time; chasing pigeons on the balcony!  She was fearless!

In our verse for today is a description of love for God.  It is fearless.  Perfect or complete love for God will have no fear of punishment for the believer who understands God’s grace.  Those who are “in Christ” are under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1).  I John 4:17 says our love is made complete so that we can have confidence on the day of judgement!  Our confidence has nothing to do with our own good works but everything to do with Christ taking the punishment for our sin.

Imagine loving someone only to avoid punishment.  That is coercion, not love.  “We love because He first loved us.”  I love Him in gratitude for all He did on that cross!  With no fear of punishment, I can sincerely love Him and serve Him!  Knowing that He has paid the debt owed for sin allows me to enjoy His love and love Him in return!

Lord, Your love is my security!  Thank you that I do not have to live in fear!