Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Vinegar

Scripture for Today: Psalm 69:21 “They (my enemies) put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

There all kinds of vinegars to choose from when making a gourmet salad dressing.  In our area of Alsace, apple vinegar is very common. But I enjoy the strawberry and raspberry vinegars too.  There is an amazing specialty shop in Freiburg, Germany that sells grapefruit, mandarin orange and pomegranate vinegars, among others.  They are great for adding that extra bit of flavor, but I cannot imagine drinking pure vinegar!

Our verse for today describes the persecution David experienced from his enemies.  He felt scorned, disgraced and shamed.  He looked for sympathy and comfort but found none.  His food tasted bitter from their gall, and there was no quenching of his thirst as it all tasted like vinegar.  This psalm describes David’s trials but also foretells the Lord’s suffering on the cross when his enemies offered him vinegar, made with light wine turned acid.  It was mixed with gall or some kind of bitter plant.

The mockery of our faith by unbelieving friends can certainly sour our lives.  The taunting of family members can make life taste very bitter.  It is not easy to stand alone in one’s conviction of the Truth.  But this psalm ends with praise for the Lord’s response to our cries.  He promises salvation and an inheritance to all who love His name!  God is righteous and He vindicates His own!

The sympathy and comfort I long for when feeling beaten down is only found in the Lord.  He hears not only my prayers but the unspoken cries of my heart.  No one understands like Jesus.  He promises to be my strength to stand firm even in the face of misunderstanding and opposition.

Thank you Lord, that You bore much worse for me!


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The Nile

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 24 :1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.”

The mighty historic Nile was the scene ushering in the new millennium for our family.  We had the privilege of staying with friends in Cairo and experiencing a felucca on the water at the very instant of this momentous change!

The ancient Egyptians considered the Nile as a god, providing water, food and livelihoods.  The land of Egypt itself is said to be a “gift of the Nile.”  The Pharaoh of Egypt during Ezekiel’s day had the audacity to declare that the Nile was his and that he had made it! (Ezekiel 29:3 & 9)  God punished his arrogance and the misplaced trust of the people by scattering them and laying waste to the land for forty years.

What Pharaoh said was in direct opposition to the truth of today’s verse.  The earth belongs to the Lord.  He is its Creator and no one else can take from Him this credit.  Every beautiful river, every breathtaking mountain and every stunning sunset are all His creation.  That newborn babe is a product of His hands.  Giving Him the glory for His creation is the very least we can do in response.

We may not have Pharaohs saying such outrageous things today, but we do have something similar.  We hear terms like the “Big Bang Theory,” or even “Mother Nature.”  Whenever we ascribe credit to anything other than God’s creative hand, we are stealing the glory that is His due!  Not only does His creation give Him glory but it reveals what is invisible; His power and divine nature! (Romans 1:20)

I hope I never become jaded to His incredible creation.  Lord, may the wonder of Your work keep me awestruck and praising You.


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My Rock

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 61:2  “From the end of the earth will I cry to You.  When my heart is overwhelmed and fainting, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

I see this rock every time I take my walk up in the vineyards behind our house.  It is placed about where I turn around and head home.  There is something reassuring about its presence.  I wonder how long it has been sitting there.  It is big and strong and solid.  I do not have to wonder if it will be there tomorrow.

I love the image of the rock in Scripture.  The Lord is spoken of as our Rock in numerous passages, especially in the Psalms.  This rock image is used to connote strength, protection and permanence.

In today’s verse the image of the rock speaks to our fatigue and weakness.  The prayer of the Psalmist is that he would be led to the Rock.  That tells me that the Rock is not necessarily in my line of vision during those times when I am overwhelmed.  When my heart is fainting within me, I am not seeing too clearly.  The Rock is even higher than I am, and yet I need to be led to it.

My first inclination when overwhelmed is not always to cry out to the Lord.  But what a wonderful promise is written here that when I do, He comes to my aid.  He leads me to a place of strength and refreshment for my spirit.  This Rock is higher, bigger and better than any of my feeble attempts to tough it out on my own.  His strength is constant and constantly available.  With His strength I can be strong, firm and steadfast! (I Peter 5:10)

Lord, please be my Rock today.


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Tomorrow

Scripture for Today:  I Chronicles 29:12  “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all.  In Your hands are power and might; in Your hands it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

When I was young I owned one of these 8 balls!  As a boy-crazy adolescent I would consult it often in matters of love.  The future was a looming mystery and I was full of questions about what was ahead.  The problem with this 8 ball method was that I would repeat the question over and over until the response I wanted appeared!

There are still questions about the future.  There are also all kinds of “what if?” scenarios that can keep one up at night.  Whether it be the futures of children and grandchildren, or what is ahead for aging parents, the temptation continues to worry about what is ahead.

The verse today is a reassuring truth.  My future is not a matter of chance or accident.  As a child of God, my future is in the powerful hands of the One who rules the universe!  Since He is powerful enough to take care of my eternal life, He surely is more than capable of taking care of my earthly life too!  He is not surprised or frustrated in His plans for me!  The state of the economy is a non-issue for Him!

Honor, riches and strength all come from His hand.  He is the One who controls my future!  Psalm 18:32 says that it is God that girds me with strength and makes my way perfect.  Having this confidence allows me to face my future without worry or sleepless nights.  HE is in control and His control is good.  My future rests in His loving hands.

Thank you Lord, that with You I can face tomorrow!


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Wonder Woman!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 17:7 “Show me the wonders of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.”

Wonder Woman presents an impossible standard.  She is always beautiful, young, thin and strong.  She not only saves the world by deflecting bullets with her bracelets and forcing truth and obedience with her golden lasso, but she looks amazing and fearless doing it!

There is something very appealing about presenting to the world a strong capable image.  We never want to look weak or in need of help.  It is difficult to even admit that we need help.  We want to be perceived as strong, independent and in control at all times.  But who are we kidding?  The other day I heard for the first time the phrase, “Wonder Woman or wonder God?”  No matter how amazing I think I can be, there are no accomplishments that can rival the wonders that God performs.

Our verse for today describes our God as being wonderful.  His wonders are evident in the love He shows.  He proves His strength and power in the miraculous ways He demonstrates that love.  He saves by just one hand those that belong to Him.  There is no enemy that can penetrate the loving refuge He provides.  And His strength is available to all those who fear Him.

I do not have to be Wonder Woman.  I can be honest about my failings, weaknesses and shortcomings.  He remembers that I am just dust (Psalm 103:14).  He loves me even so.  There is the wonder; that He would love me and show that love in spite of my failings!

“What wondrous love is this?”  You are full of wonder Lord, and all praise and honor belong to You!