Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Boot Straps

boot straps481389633_88ffb5afffScripture for Today: Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”

This poor little guy seems to be stuck in the mud.  Fortunately, he has straps on those rain boots and is making good use of them.  The phrase, “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” has a literal meaning for him.  It is more commonly used in the figurative sense to mean success by one’s own efforts.  The idea is to use no outside help.  This phrase can be applied to the one who uses nothing other than one’s own blood, sweat, and toil.

There are lots of inspiring success stories in American history of those who were able beat all odds.  They could even be called, “self-made men.”  However, our verse for today gives a more accurate picture.  It is God who has made us.  We are to acknowledge that anything and everything we have to succeed is given us by Him.  We have not made ourselves.  We cannot take the credit.  The talents, determination, gifts, and mental capacities all come from Him.  Although motivation and work ethics play a huge role, no one can say that he has made himself what he is.

To guard against pride in my own accomplishments, this verse reminds me of my status as a sheep.  I am always in dire need of help and guidance from the Shepherd.  As a believer, I belong to Him and He takes care of putting me in His wonderful abundant pasture.  And He has made me exactly as I am for His purposes.  It only makes sense to respond with joy, shouting, singing and thanksgiving!

Thank you Lord, for making me to belong to You!

 


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Boundaries

Scripture for Today: Psalm 104:9 “You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.”

We know all about the tides and their timetables.  We know all about how the moon can affect those tides.  But what we do not know is why the ocean stops at a particular beach and goes no further.  I often think of this fact as I walk along a shore.  With all our knowledge and scientific discoveries, there is so much we do not know.  The immense expanse of the ocean just seems to “know” to what point it should flow.  We do not give it a thought but build beautiful homes close by in total confidence that the ocean will go so far and no further.

Today’s verse is not just poetry.  God Himself sets the boundaries the oceans are not to cross.  The ocean is His creation and He is sovereign over it.  There is nothing that is out of His ultimate control.  As this verse says, the ocean waters have in the past covered the earth.  Perhaps this is referring to the time of creation (Genesis 1:9).  Or it may be referring to the time of worldwide flood in the days of Noah (Genesis 7:11).  In either case, God sets boundaries.

The Lord sets boundaries in my life as well.  He has promised that I will not be tested above and beyond what I can handle (I Cor. 10:13).  He will always provide a way.  Those waves coming at me will not engulf me.  Just as the Lord placed limits on Satan in his temptation of Job (Job 1:12), so my God is faithful to me.  I can trust Him.  The water may look dangerously close, but my powerful Creator is closer still!

Thank you Lord, for Your loving control of today!


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Apples and Oranges

Scripture for Today: II Samuel 7:22 “How great You are, Sovereign Lord!  There is no one like You, and there is no God but You, as we have heard with our own ears.”

“It’s like comparing apples and oranges.”  The expression has been around a long time to mean that two items are incomparable, being so different.  But in fact, the expression does not hold up too well as both the apple and the orange are sweet.  Both are similar in size, weight and shape.  Either fruit can be eaten or juiced.

Today’s verse points out that no one can compare to our unique God.  It goes further to say that there is no God but Him!  In today’s pluralistic society, this is not a popular thought.  It is a much more comfortable thought that each person can worship their own God, whoever he may be.  In allowing for this we can agree that our gods may be different and we can choose the one that most fits our style.  We can even be content in comparing apples and oranges, not being concerned with the slight differences.

How can we say there is only one God and that there is no one like Him?  We do not say this, He does!  His greatness and power are incomparable!  In fact, trying to compare other gods with Him is ludicrous, as there is no other god in existence but Him.  They are all just a figment of human imagination, or the creative wood carvings of man.  They have no power.  They are not all-knowing or eternal.  They are not in every place at once.  To trust in them is to lean on a spider’s web.  They will not hold us up. (Job 8:14)

Thank you Lord, for being the only Sovereign incomparable God.

 


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Horns

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:1 “….My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord.  My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.”

We were privileged to take a very long hike in the Massif du Chablais in the Haute Savoie.  We were just under the tree line at about 6000 feet.  The views were breathtaking but the most memorable moment was coming across a herd of some 30 Ibex mountain goats!  As a group they calmly crossed our path.  Their horns appeared impressive and menacing with their prehistoric-looking ridges.  I was amazed that they allowed us to be so close.  For a good fifteen minutes we silently watched them watch us!

The herd was made up entirely of males.  I learned that in the summers they form groups and hold big battles to establish superiority.  In fact, even during our short encounter, two of them started to get into it!

Our verse for today begins a prayer of thanksgiving.  Hannah had just dedicated her son, Samuel, to the Lord.  She is rejoicing in the fact that the Lord has vindicated her before her enemies.  She says that her horn is exalted in the Lord.  The horn is a symbol of strength and Hannah recognizes that her strength is in Him.  The Lord has made her victorious over those who had ridiculed her for her barrenness.

David calls the Lord, “the horn of my salvation” (Psalm 18:2) and Jesus is called a horn of salvation (Luke 1:69).  Because He is my strength, I too can call Him the horn of my salvation!  He fights for me.  Not only that, but He wins!  He will triumph over any foe in my life.

Thank you, Lord, that it does not depend on me.  You are fighting my battles!

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

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A Special Dog!

Scripture for Today: Deut. 33:26  “There is none like the God of Jeshurun (Israel) who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty.”

One of our favorite places in Switzerland is the Alpine village of Grand Saint Bernard.  It is situated in the foothills of Mount Blanc right at Italy’s border.  The St. Bernard dog used to be bred here by Augustinian monks.  In the summer months one can still see these gentle giants at the traveler’s hospice for which they were named.  This dog is renowned for its capabilities as an avalanche search dog.  The small cask of brandy at their neck is a long-standing myth.  But the myth is perpetuated for the sake of the tourists and their cameras.  The most famous St. Bernard is “Barry” having saved over forty lost mountaineers.

Today’s verse is a beautiful description of the God we serve.  He rides the heavens and through the skies to give help to His loved ones.  He is majestic and there is none like Him.  He saves those who are lost and cry out to Him.  He inclines His ear to deliver and rescue us.  He promises to be a “very present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

I can put my hope and trust in Him because His help is timely.  He rides the heavens to my rescue and He is never late.  He hears me the second I cry out to Him and He never disappoints.  Even though there are times He tests my faith and arrives at the very last moment, He has come through for me again and again.  Why should I ever doubt or fear?

Lord, next time I am tempted to doubt, give me eyes of faith to see You riding the heavens to be my help!