Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Giving Up

Scripture for Today: Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

I can relate to the frustration this man must be feeling.  I can guess at the pressure he is feeling to meet a deadline.  Perhaps he is irritated at a failed communication or the lack of any response at all.  I wonder if he feels that his work will never produce the desired effect.  In any case, this image suggests a discouragement and weariness we all sometimes feel.

Today’s verse lets us know that though we do not see an immediate result to our good works, there will be a future time when we will see the fruit of our labor.  The “proper time” for seeing results may not be the present.  But eventually, God brings about results.  The harvest we reap is in His timing and control.  Our part is to keep on keeping on, regardless of the results.

It is easy for me to feel weary and wonder if God is really using me.  I do not want to give up serving Him, but it can be discouraging to wonder if I am making a difference.  Is He hearing my prayers for my loved ones?  Is He using my story to draw others to Himself?  God’s work of changing hearts is often initially unseen.  But the promise of reaping a harvest is only for those who do not give up!  I have to trust that His Word does not return void but accomplishes what He intends (Isaiah 55:11).  Yes, there are moments of weariness, but in His grace He gives strength and motivation to continue!

Help me Lord, to never give up serving You!

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule.)


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The Woodpecker

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”

I had never seen a woodpecker until living in France.  There was one who frequently visited our yard and with his red markings he was easy to spot.  There was one fruit tree that he especially liked to peck for insects.  I was always happy to see him, not realizing what he was doing to that tree.  One night we had an huge windstorm and with an impressive crack, that tree came down, snapping at exactly the very place that woodpecker had been working!  I feel differently about woodpeckers now.  I missed that mirabelle plum tree!

Today’s verse is a loving warning.  After describing the failures of the Israelites in the wilderness, Paul cautions that falling is a real possibility.  We can think that we are standing firm while at the same time being slowly weakened by compromise.  Like the small attacks by the beak of  a woodpecker, our resolve can slowly erode leaving us vulnerable.  A strong wind of temptation can come along and knock us flat.  We fall to the ground and we no longer bear fruit.

No one wakes up in the morning and decides to give in to temptation.  Being drawn away from Him is usually a slow sneaky process.  And it can come from something normally beautiful or agreeable.  The next verse is such a comforting promise.  God will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear.  He provides a way out.  I have a choice.  That enticement to sin is never so strong that with His help I cannot resist!

Don’t let me fall, Lord.  Keep me firmly standing and bearing fruit.

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule.)

 


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An Easy Fix?

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 17:5 “This is what the Lord says; ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.'”

My children watched the resourceful MacGyver weekly on French television growing up.  He never ceased to impress and astound with his innovative Fix-It-Yourself solutions.  There was never a crisis he could not surmount, never a problem he could not resolve with just a little know-how and imagination.  The FIY or DIY concept enjoys lots of success as it saves money and impresses family and friends.  I am all for ingenuity in problem solving.

Unfortunately, there have been some recent major problems in our society that we cannot seem to fix.  Rather than turning toward the One who is all powerful, we accuse Him for our sin.  We say that He cannot fix the problem when in fact, there is nothing too hard for Him.  But for so long, men have been trusting in their own intellect and in their own strength.  Man has limited himself to only what he can create, and it has turned ugly.  Today’s verse describes the one whose heart is turned away from the Lord as “cursed.”

Turning to God in repentance means we can draw on His enormous strength and power for change.  The One who keeps the oceans in their place, the One who raised His Son from the dead is the same One who infuses us with His strength to change every behavior.  Our independent spirit to fix it all ourselves without God does not work.  We cannot do it, but He can!

Thank you Lord, that You have the power, the strength, the know-how and all the answers!  I cannot do life without You.  Keep my heart turned towards You today.

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule)


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Snares

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 29:25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

The simplest way to catch wild game is with the basic snare trap.  It consists of just a single piece of wire or string with a loop at one end, creating a noose.  It looks harmless enough until the animal runs through it, tightening the noose until it can not free itself.  It would break my heart to see one of these used.  I would pity the plight of the animal to the point of setting it free at the first opportunity!  Thankfully, I am not in a survivor mode having to depend on hunting to live.

Today’s verse uses the image of a snare to describe how fear affects us.  Fearing what man can do is a paralyzing trap.  Fear keeps us from moving forward and realizing our goals.  It stops us squarely in our tracks.  Rather than venture forth, we cower and stay still.  Our movements are curtailed and we are no longer free to move about.

This verse thankfully does not stop there.  We have a choice.  We do not have to live in fear of what evil men may do, but can live freely, trusting in the Lord’s protection.  He honors our trust and confidence in Him by keeping us safe.  For the believer, the soul is beyond the touch of evil and our eternal future remains secure.  Our God is more powerful than any evil scheme and nothing can thwart His personal plan for each one of His own.  I know and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day (II Tim. 1:12).

Thank you Lord, that trusting You keeps me safe and secure.

(Look familiar?  This is a re-post due to summer ministry schedule)


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Holding Hands

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

They died holding hands.  After sixty-two years of marriage, this couple fell ill at the same time and were placed in a nursing home.  The staff pushed their beds together as he wanted to hold her hand.  Hand-holding began their life together and ended it.  He died while still grasping her hand.  She held on to life and his hand for another ninety minutes before dying as well.  How beautiful is this expression of love!  Holding hands can give courage, help and support.

Today’s verse is a beautiful assurance of God’s power and control.  The hand of God is a place of salvation, refuge and protection.  It is also a hand of healing and deliverance.  By taking our hand He assures us of His help.  His hand takes our right hand but not our left.  That is because the right hand is the one in Scripture that is used in battle.  He hold us by the right hand so that we allow Him to fight our battles!

I need Him to do the fighting.  My hands are weak and my grip is loose with discouragement on that “sword of the Spirit,” which is God’s Word (Eph. 6:17).  But He promises His help.  He takes a hold of my right hand and infuses me with strength and courage.  His help means that my enemies will be “as nothing.” (verse 11-12).  That impossible relationship that looms so large is no problem for Him.  He is in the business of righting wrongs and changing hearts.  He has my back and has promised to always be with me (Psalm 73:23).

Thank you Lord, for the warmth and comfort of Your hand holding mine.