Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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The Fearless Harpy!

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 22:4 “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”

This strange-looking eagle knows no fear. And there is good reason. The Harpy is among the largest and most powerful eagles with rear talons as big as a grizzly bear’s claws. Its legs are as thick as a person’s arm and its wing span can reach up to six and a half feet. This powerful eagle has no natural predators, so it is surprising that it is on the decline.The reason for this is its lack of fear. The Harpy will confidently sit on a perch and allow humans to approach and in consequence is shot!

Today’s verse points out the blessings of fearing the Lord. They are riches, honor and life itself. But the fear of the Lord is not possible without humility. Fearing the Lord is understanding just how big He is and just how small we are. Fearing Him is having a healthy respect for His power over our lives. Fearing Him is giving Him the awe and recognition He deserves. This attitude is lacking in the one who thinks too much of himself and his own prowess. Pride in our own strength or talent to the exclusion of the Giver of those gifts will rob us of the riches, honor and life with which He wants to bless us.

My perspective often needs changing. I can start to feel capable, strong and in control with no thought of Him. Fearing Him is an act of humility and involves seeing myself as totally dependent on Him, for my next breath, my next heartbeat and my next lucid thought! I need to be reminded through His Word of just how incredible He is! My fear of Him intensifies my worship and He is gracious to respond with blessing!  My life is richer for fearing Him for the awesome God He is!

Lord, keep me humble and fearing You.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2020)


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Plastic Wrap Fiasco

Scripture for Today: Psalm 63:7-8 “Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.  I cling to You. Your right hand upholds me.”

I finally gave in. After years of fighting with plastic wrap, I finally spent the extra for a dispenser that allows me to roll it out and cut it easily. If there had been a hidden camera in my kitchen, it would have caught me tearing at that plastic and throwing away countless yards of the stuff as it would cling to the wrong thing.  Seriously, plastic wrap seems to have a mind of its own!  It clings to itself, my hand, or the counter, but rarely where I am putting it.

Today’s verse is about a different kind of clinging. When we realize just how needy we are, we can give ourselves permission to cling. The problem is that sometimes we cling to the wrong thing. When we cling to our own resources or to others, we continue to be needy. However, when we cling to the Lord and His strength, we find ourselves upheld by His powerful right hand. He is our help when all else fails.  Clinging to Him and His protection changes our attitude to one of joy and song. He is never bothered by our clinging. He does not shake us off. He holds us up when we feel we are falling. He is faithful to give the help we need.

I cannot cling to Him if my hands are full. I need to let go of all my supposed resources and depend completely on Him. He is big enough and strong enough to be all the help I need. I can never cling to Him too much! There is no such thing as “too clingy.” And He invites me to hold Him tightly in faith that He will not let go. He will not let me down.

Thank you Lord, that You are faithful to hold me.


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Great White Shark Sighting!

Scripture for Today: Joshua 4:24 “He did this so that all the people of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

Recently a stretch of beach in Huntington Beach, California was temporarily closed due to a Great White shark sighting! Beaches are routinely closed if the Great White is thought to be aggressive or measures over six feet. Ever since the movie, “Jaws” in 1975, a widespread perception persists that you could be in danger of becoming his next meal. Although fatal attacks on humans are fairly rare, I am all for taking these precautions as they are the most dangerous of the shark species given their size, speed and power.

Today’s verse talks about the hand of the Lord being powerful. God reminded Joshua to remind the Israelites that His power had dried up the Red Sea and more recently the Jordan so that they could safely cross. And this demonstration of power was done so that all people on earth would fear Him. It is when we understand God’s power and control that we respond as we should with fear. If God did not inspire fear, than He would be someone we could tame, control or manipulate. Fearing God is obeying His Word with a healthy aversion to the consequences possible when we do not.

My fear of the God of the Bible, who is just, holy and righteous produces an awe and respect that drives me to my knees. This God of the universe is all powerful and yet He chose to love me! But His perfect love drives out a particular fear, the fear of punishment, as His Son took that punishment on Himself! (I John 4:17-18) What a wonderful gift as this means I can approach this powerful, sovereign God with confidence! Although I still sin and can face discipline, I am no longer under condemnation (Rom. 8:1) and can enjoy His faithful love!

Thank you Lord for Your power and for Your powerful love for me!


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Holding Me Up

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

If you were to board a “vaporetto” or public water bus in Venice, you would be sure to see this startling sculpture. It has a prominent place on the Grand Canal and the gleaming white hands seem to rise up from the water to hold up this hotel. It was sculpted by Lorenzo Quinn, the son of Hollywood’s Anthony Quinn, in 2017. Not surprisingly he named it, “Support.” This artist used his talent to showcase the delicate balance between Venice and the sea.

Today’s verse reassures us that there are hands that hold us up. God speaks this special message to the Israelites in a passage that declares His power over all of their adversaries. There is no reason to fear or be dismayed at the opposition. That is because He promises His strength and help. In the same way, the believer today can be confident. If God is for us who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) and because of HIs love upholding us we are MORE than conquerors. (Rom. 8:37)

There are so many verses that tell us not to fear. A friend of mine is going through each one of these verses as she helps her husband through cancer treatment. Opposition comes in many forms. But whatever I may face that threatens to bring me down, there are hands holding me up. Anxiety, worry, what if’s or even a mild disquiet is not what the Lord wants me to feel. He offers His strength, His help, His support and His love. In looking forward to an unknown future, there is no room for fear!

Thank you Lord, that You will always hold me up.


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The Mighty Mongoose

Scripture for Today: II Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

This Dwarf mongoose makes his home in Botswana and is Africa’s smallest carnivore weighing less than a pound! But as small as he is, he is bold enough to take down a king cobra! His speed and agility are remarkable, darting at the head of the snake and cracking its skull with his powerful bite! He himself does not need to worry about being bitten. That is because he has a protein that binds to proteins in the snake venom, rendering it harmless.

Today’s verse is a wonderful promise of the Lord to His own. He promises to strengthen and protect the believer from the evil one. Satan showed up in the very beginning as a serpent who deceives (Gen 3:13). He is also pictured as a lion looking to devour its prey (I Peter 5:8). There will be attacks and we are encouraged to stand firm in the faith with the armor He provides (Eph. 6:10-17). We may feel small, but the Lord is faithful to protect our soul, now and for eternity. Nothing and no one can snatch us from His powerful protective hands (John 10:29).

Like the small mongoose, I can be fearless and confident! I do not want to underestimate the enemy, but I know that victory is mine in Christ. The venom and sting of death is rendered powerless because of God’s faithfulness to me. There may be that occasional skirmish that can discourage, but the outcome is already decided! If God is for me, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31) And this victory does not depend on this fickle soul but on the Savior of my soul who has promised!

Thank you Lord, for Your strength and protection!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2022)