Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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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)


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Chocolate Iris?

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 2:4-5 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power.”

This is a surprising color for an iris! And its name reflects the color: “Dutch Chocolate.” But in fact, the iris comes in an array of different colors, including a deep purple that looks black. The wide diversity of colors makes sense as the word, “iris” originally meant “rainbow” in Greek. In the language of flowers, the iris symbolizes eloquence. And its three petal segments are said to represent faith, wisdom, and valor.

There is faith and wisdom in today’s verse as well as courage to speak the truth. There is not however any eloquence. Wise sounding words can be empty. Persuasive words can be negated by hypocrisy.  But Paul explains that his message did not need either as his words were a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. Paul never claimed to be eloquent in his speech. Because he spoke simply, God’s power was evident. And he resisted the temptation to speak only what “itchy ears” wanted to hear (II Tim. 4:3).

My faith does not rest on a fancy discourse or the latest fad or book. Human wisdom can never replace the power of God’s Words. It is not what exact words are used but God’s Spirit who helps me understand (verse 12). He is the One that explains spiritual realities to me (verse 13). And His Spirit uses my words of testimony even when I am not eloquent. I may not feel strong or confident in sharing the Gospel. But thankfully, His power does not depend on my word choice!  His power is evident not because of me but in spite of me!

Thank you Lord, that my faith rests on Your power.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Watch Out for Splinters!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 36:6 “Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.”


I do not suppose that this lizard worries about getting splinters from the rough surface of this door!  With his thick, tough reptile skin he can move all over that weathered wood and never be bothered. I, on the other hand, would not want to push or lean on that wood for fear of splinters piercing my skin! I still have memories of my childhood and that painful process of splinter removal!

Today’s verse describes a hand that leans on a flimsy splintered reed of a staff and so is pierced. The King of Assyria was absolutely right to say that leaning on Egypt for help against his attack would be no help at all for King Hezekiah and the Israelites. But then he goes on to insult their dependence on the Lord God! (verse 7) King Hezekiah turns to the Lord in His temple and to the prophet, Isaiah. He prays that God will vindicate His name. And the Lord does, delivering them with a miraculous victory!

Who do I depend on in a crisis? My first thought needs to be His help. He may direct me to all kinds of good sources of aid, but I want my trust and dependence to be firmly placed first and foremost on Him and His power to work. Putting my weight on any other kind of support may just give me those “splinters.” But He will always answer my cries. Nothing is beyond His strength. And when He answers, His name is once again vindicated in my life and in the eyes of all who are watching!

Lord, keep me leaning and depending on You!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)