Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Contagious Yawning

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 40:28 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”

Photo by Jen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenrab/2308543513

It’s true! According to scientific studies, yawning IS contagious! In fact, I stopped trying to count how many times I yawned picking out a yawning image! Some studies suggest that one is showing empathy or bonding. But this behavior does not appear in early childhood. That tells me who started the yawning in this picture! It has been found that contagious yawning is more likely with acquaintances rather than strangers, tired or not!

Today’s verse tells us that our everlasting God and Creator will not grow tired or weary. God is spirit, but to speak of Him in human terms, God would never yawn! His understanding is certainly beyond ours and His power is limitless! Not only is He never without strength, He promises to give strength to the weary and power to the weak (verse 29). And it is the believer’s hope in the Lord that gives renewed strength (verse 31).

The Lord’s knowledge of me is so intimate that He knows what I am going to say before I say it (Psalm 139:4). That means He sees every yawn as well. He knows when I feel physically tired, but more than that, He knows when I am weary and emotionally drained. I may put on a brave face, but He sees the hidden yawns of discouragement inside. How wonderful of Him to strengthen my resolve! How gracious He is to offer His power when I acknowledge to Him my weakness! His supply is limitless and He never tires of me asking Him!

Lord, I need Your strength today!


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Mother Nature

Scripture for Today: Colossians 1:16 “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

The term, Mother Nature or Mother Earth was first recorded in 1266 during the Middle Ages. The prevailing thought then was simply personifying nature. But the idea that the earth was created through a goddess can be traced back to ancient Greek mythology. However, it was during the age of “Enlightenment” that the term, “Mother Nature” became popular. Leaders of this movement felt that nature needed to be feminized and degraded to allow people to exploit and study it!

Today’s verse leaves no room for a Mother Nature. Through Christ ALL things were made (John 1:3). Our earth, the heavens and everything in it was created by Christ Himself! He personally created everything seen and unseen, including all powers, rulers and authorities. It was all created through Him. He cannot be taken out of the equation! And ultimately, what was created was created FOR Him! It turns out that man is not the center of the universe!

It must hurt the Lord’s heart to see mankind ignoring His incredible creativity and dismissing this world as some kind of cosmic chance. His creation, including man himself, has been made for His pleasure. And when I understand my purpose in pleasing Him, He allows me to appreciate His creation on a much deeper level! Through His creation I see His attention to detail and His sense of humor! How wonderful to see in creation illustrations not only of His power but so much else about Him! And what He reveals always agrees with and complements the revelation given in His Word!

Lord, may I always give You the praise for Your creative power!


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The Grandala

Scripture for Today: Job 12:7 and 9 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you…Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?” 

Photo by Nick Athanas at https://www.flickr.com/photos/antpitta/42774409555

Could this bird be any bluer? The Grandala lives across Northeastern India and its scientific name means, “sky-colored grand wing.” But I have never seen a sky the color of this electric cobalt blue! They gather in large flocks and fly at high elevations. But they can be seen up close at lower elevations when they feed on berries. And if they could talk, what might they say?

Today’s verse suggests what birds and animals might say if they had the power of speech. They would proclaim who their Creator is! They would all acknowledge who it is that gives and sustains their lives and the lives of all mankind (verse 10). Unlike some people who would rather believe that creation results from a formula of time and chance, they would acknowledge the hand that brought them into being. It is through God’s creation that He makes plain His power and divine nature (Rom. 1:20).

The hand of the Lord has done this! So often, I do not recognize that the hand of the Lord has done so many wonderful things in my life! I am quick to think that life is good because of my own choices or that my hand brought it about. But when I see the wonders of nature I am reminded of His incredible power and creativity! Mankind had nothing to do with it! And the work of His hands far exceeds any of my puny efforts without Him. This bird knows it. And I need to be reminded too!

Thank you Lord, for nature’s reminders of You!


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Mayday

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:17 “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”

Photo Credit: Christian Ferrer /CC BY 4.0

It was a very rough start to this cruise taken on the MV Viking Sky in March of 2019. The storm in Norway was manageable in principle. But she suffered a loss of oil pressure causing an automatic shutdown of all engines. The mayday distress signal was issued at 14:00 and was not lifted until 15:11 the next day. And in that time period, 30 helicopter trips evacuated 479 passengers. Their mayday signal, repeated three times in a row, understandably had priority over all other calls!

Today’s verse is a distress call to God repeated three times: morning, noon and night. David refers to his troubles like a tempest and storm (verse 8). He is distraught because of his enemies but he refers to just one in particular; a companion, a close friend (verse 13). The betrayal of a so-called friend is what is fueling David’s anguish. But David’s cry to God results in casting his cares on the Lord (verse 22). He ends this distress call with trust that God will take care of the wicked men in his life (verse 23).

There will always be those who oppose God and do evil. The storms in my life can sometimes be traced back to the waves and strong winds they have caused. But what causes more distress, prompting that mayday call, is the betrayal of a friend. Coming from an unexpected source makes it all the more painful. A cry for help is the best response I can make. And like David, I can end my prayer with trust. The Lord knows, He cares, He will sustain me and in His justice, He will take care of it.

Thank you Lord, for always hearing my cry.


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Circling the Wagons

Scripture for Today: Psalm 5:12 “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

It only made sense to circle those wagons. If not, those early pioneers on the Oregon Trail were vulnerable to attack. Not only was there safety in numbers, there was a better chance of fighting off attack when the enemy’s approach could be seen ahead of time. Every vantage point was used to be prepared. Whatever squabble may have separated these travelers during the day was forgotten in the need for unity and protection.

Today’s verse teaches that the believer is surrounded by God’s favor. That favor and blessing act as a shield against any attack from the enemy. On every side, God protects us from trouble and surrounds us with songs of deliverance (Ps. 32:7). The wicked do not have this protection but the one who trusts in Him is surrounded by His unfailing love (Ps. 32:10). Unlike that circle of wagons, there are no gaps in the defense He provides! On all sides we are covered and enclosed in His love and protection. No evil can touch our souls and nothing can snatch us out of His powerful hands (John 10: 29).

What a wonderful assurance this is! Regardless of the destructive power of evil, it will never touch my soul. I have been bought with a price and belong to the All Powerful One. He has delivered me from the power of Satan by what He accomplished on the cross. And He continues to deliver me from the snares and traps of sin. There is encouragement in being in that circle of wagons with other believers as well. Gathering together reminds me that I am not in this battle alone. I can draw courage from others as well to stand firm!

Thank you Lord, for surrounding me.