Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Magic or Miracle?

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.”

Our grandson on his fourth birthday was front and center with that magician, mesmerized by the seemingly impossible feats performed.  Lately, he has been drawn to all things magic, including hats, capes and wands.  But the awe on all of their sweet faces was priceless.  These little boys were properly amazed but the parents were impressed as well with the slight of hand.  Who doesn’t like to be astonished by what looks to be impossible?

Today’s verse describes not magic, but the miraculous.  God’s power is evident in the creation of the heavens and the earth.  No tricks or slight of hand were needed, only His incredible outstretched arm.  The heavens and earth testify to His great miraculous power.  By seeing and appreciating His power in creation, we can be assured that absolutely nothing is too hard for Him!

I have evidence of God’s power all around me.  And yet, I am sometimes so accustomed to it that it no longer seems miraculous.  Sure the sun will rise tomorrow morning.  Of course, principles of gravity will continue to hold true.  However, everything that God does is miraculous.  Anything that is caused by the power of God is a “miracle.”  But when His miracles become commonplace to me, than I can find myself wondering if something could be too hard for Him.  I need to have that child-like wonder when seeing a caterpillar or gazing at the stars.  When I do then my faith grows as I realize that NOTHING is too hard for Him to accomplish in my life!

Lord, help me to trust that nothing is too hard for You.

 

 


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Seasickness

Scripture for Today: Psalm 107: 28-29 “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”

These poor men!  This photo is from a postcard of American soldiers suffering from seasickness on the deck of the USS Powhatan during World War I.  The misery on their faces says it all!  Not all of them seem to be affected.  And the waves cannot be too awfully strong as the deck remains level.  But it does not take much motion for the sensitive stomach to churn.

Today’s verse talks of merchants who were used to life on the sea.  But this time, the Lord Himself stirred up a tempest that created huge waves (verse 25).  Their courage melted away as they staggered around like drunkards.  This was outside their normal area of expertise.  Even so, it was not until they were at their “wits’ end” (verse 27) that they cried out to the Lord.  And when they did, He brought them out of their distress, stilling that storm and hushing the waves.  Coming out of it, they were thankful for the calm.

I take the calm in my life for granted, that is just until the waves grow large!  I am like these sea merchants in thinking I can handle the sudden storm.  But I quickly realize that I cannot.  What starts as a queasy stomach can turn into full grown panic as my small efforts do not seem to amount to much.  How good and faithful He is to respond to my cry!  Whether that storm is of my own making or a test from Him, my first thought should always be to humbly ask for His help.

Thank you Lord, that You can still my storm.

 


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Charging Stations

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:27-28 “Cause me to understand the way of Your precepts, that I may meditate on Your wonderful deeds. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.”

When I enter the airport lounge, no longer do I look for the most comfortable chair, or the place with a view out the window.  I do not worry about who I am sitting next to or how close I am to my gate.  Like so many others, I am scanning the waiting area for those power stations for my phone.  I have a horror of my phone being without enough power to text people about schedule changes or missed flights.  There is something reassuring about having my phone charged up and being ready for any eventuality.

Today’s verse reminds me that it is God’s Word that can strengthen my soul.  Understanding His precepts, meditating on His wonderful deeds and being in His Word gives solace to a soul lethargic with sorrow.  Sadness depletes our strength and we need to be built up and encouraged.  His Word does that.  And even when it is inconvenient to be actually reading the Bible, there are always the memories of His faithfulness in the past that can bolster my faith and strengthen me.

My alone-time with Him is my charging station, renewing my spirit and my strength.   I do not, however, need to wait until I am dangerously low on power.  Being “prayed-up” and “charged up” keeps me in a state of preparedness for whatever unknowns are ahead of me.  I want to have full strength to face anything, but that can only happen as I stay connected to Him and His Word.

Lord, I am tired of being sad.  Strengthen me with Your Word today.


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Squeaky Wheel

Scripture for Today: Psalm 142:1-2 “I cry aloud to the Lord, I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I will pour out before Him my complaint; before Him I tell my trouble.”

I am not so sure that the “squeaky wheel gets the grease” at my grocery store.  Too many times I have inadvertently pulled out a cart with that annoying noise.  A poem entitled, “The Kicker” first used this saying in 1870.  This American proverb affirms that the one who complains the loudest attracts the most attention and service.  The Chinese have a similar saying, “The crying baby gets the  milk.”

In today’s verse, David cries aloud to the Lord for mercy.  He lifts up his voice, pouring out his complaint and telling Him about all his troubles.  He is complaining to the Lord, and not in some quiet whispering voice.  He is loud and noisy about it.  This entire psalm is a cry of complaint about his enemies.  His prayer is open and honest and God does not reproach him for it.

Out of His grace and mercy God hears the cries of His children.  But the “squeaky wheel” idea does not work with Him.  I do not manipulate Him with the emotion and fervor I add to my prayers.  His will and plan are already determined.  However, pouring out my complaints to Him is such a release.  I can unburden my heart in prayers like this.  He understands and He can take it.  He would much rather I complain to Him rather than murmur and complain to those around me (Phil. 2:14-15).  Not only that, He is the One who can best resolve the problem.  Often, even before my prayer finishes, He changes that complaint into praise for what He will do!

Thank you Lord, for listening to my complaint.


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Portion Control

Scripture for Today:  Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Apparently, Americans are not the only ones who struggle with portion control!  The Polish cuisine is a hearty one as this Zapiekanka sandwich demonstrates, unless of course it serves several.  This baguette-style sandwich is considered Polish fast food and rivals most of our large sandwiches.  I was taught growing up to finish everything on my plate.  But the problem is that today, that plate groans with the weight of portions that have grown bigger and bigger, and the control has to come from me!

In today’s verse, there is no need to think about portion control!  Those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be full and satisfied.  With His righteousness we do not pine for something more.  There is no feeling of missing out on something better.  A righteous life is the best kind of life.  Doing the right thing, following His way, and experiencing right standing with our Creator gives a sense of well-being that is complete.  No other kind of life can be quite as full or satisfying!

My problem is that I hunger and thirst for other things, good things, that give only temporary satisfaction.  But of course, I hunger and thirst again.  However, I do not want my life to be characterized by wanting.  I desperately want to experience that contentment and satisfaction He offers.  If I make the Lord the object of my longing, He will satisfy me.  He has promised life to the full (John 10:10).  This “blessedness” means that I can overflow with hope (Rom. 15:13) and with joy (II Cor. 8:2).  I want to be able to say with the Psalmist, “my cup overflows!” (Psalm 23:5)

Fill me up with You, Lord.