Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: God’s Strength and Power


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Bibliophile

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Is this cat a bibliophile, appreciating and collecting books? More likely, his paw is just serving as a bookmark for his owner. Today is National Book Lover’s Day. This is a day where one is encouraged to spend the whole day reading! We observe this day by visiting the public library. Or we can explore a used book store for that overlooked gem of an out-of-print tome. Another way to mark the day is to randomly give a book to someone.

Today’s verse talks about a book that records all the days that are allotted to each one of us. He Himself has authored this book and it is timeless. It records the length of our lives before they are even begun. What an amazing verse that makes clear just how detailed and expansive His control is! As He has planned, and as He has purposed, so it will happen (Isaiah 14:24). Every entrance into the hereafter is on the very day recorded in that book.

It is a tremendous comfort to know that God never slips up. A death may still seem untimely to me, but He knows. A life may be violently cut short, but God has a plan through all of it that we do not see on this side of eternity. I cannot thwart His plan for my exit from this world. Rather than be frightened at the thought, I am reassured that He has a plan. His control is good because He is good. I do not need to know the number of my days. I just need to know that He knows.

Lord, help me to always be confident of Your control.


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Make Up Call

Scripture for Today: Acts 17:31 “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

https://www.flickr.com/photos/christianspenceranderson/6138402466

The Make Up Call would never be necessary in a perfect world where every referee call were done perfectly. But of course, referees are only human. If he erroneously gives possession of the basketball to one team, he may try to balance out the injustice with a make up call. To do that he may quickly whistle a travel or improper zone defense on that team in order to restore possession to the other wronged team. That penalty may be entirely fictional in order to right a previous wrong!

Today’s verse promises a day when the world will be judged. All wrongs will be put right. Perfect justice will be meted out and it will be perfectly done. It will be perfect because of who is appointed to do it; Jesus Christ. The proof of His right to establish justice is evident in His resurrection. In His perfect judgement there will be no make up calls to balance out an injustice. There will no challenges at all to the absolute rightness of what He will declare.

At no point can I ever argue with the His perfect justice. I can never point out something He missed or excuse myself because of my good intentions. There are no extenuating circumstances that can cloud the issue of my absolute guilt before Him. His justice is always fair. Thankfully, He sees Christ’s righteousness when looking at me (Rom. 3:22) and I am under no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). But it is comforting to know that whatever injustice gets overlooked here will one day be put right.

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect justice.


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Feathers

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Is there anything softer than downey feathers? This is certainly why some duvets and pillows afford such wonderful and comforting sleep. Apart from being breathable and regulating body temperature, these soft feathers will envelop and conform to the body. They are so malleable that there is less strain on the muscles. Their natural softness just wraps around the body, so much so that it is hard to leave!

What a beautiful image feathers are in today’s verse! The Lord covers the believer with something so soft. Yet, at the same time, His feathers are strong, providing refuge from any attack! It is under His wings that we discover His faithful care, as strong and protective as a shield or surrounding rampart. His feathers are lightweight, not weighing us down. We can breathe deeply and catch our breath there, surrounded by His attentive safe keeping. His soft feathers wrap around the body shielding us from whatever threatens us.

The best place to be is under His wings. How good He is to provide that respite for the soul! Sometimes I do not even realize how harsh the world is until I go there and feel the contrast of His soft enveloping love. He offers me His protection and strength there under His waiting wings. But how often do I go there? I am just silly enough to walk right past Him and muddle through on my own. But I have had enough of hard realities. I need to relax, let go, and bask in the soft realities of His love and care.

Lord, keep me under Your wings today.


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Flex Alert

Scripture for Today: I Chronicles 29:12 “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”

Flex Alert is a voluntary program of energy conservation here in California. During extremely hot temperatures the power grid can get overloaded with an increase in demand. To avoid a black out or even planned roving power outages, folks are encouraged during peak hours to do three things: set the thermostat to 78 or higher, avoid using major appliances and turn off unnecessary lights. These measures keep us from running out of power.

Today’s verse acknowledges that wealth, honor, strength and power all come from the Lord. This praise is part of David’s prayer of praise at the building of the Temple. David had given of his wealth (verse 2) and he encourages the people to follow his example. Because wealth, honor, strength and power are from God’s hands, the people could open their own hands and give generously. But David first challenges the Israelites to consecrate themselves to the Lord (verse 5). That power from Him showed up in their willingness to give of themselves and of their wealth.

I often call on the Lord for His strength and power. His power is definitely present when I can say “no” to temptation. His strength is evident when He gets me through a difficult day after a sleepless night. When He comes through for me it is amazing! But it is just as amazing to step out in faith and give sacrificially to His work. To do so, I need to remember this verse. Power, strength, honor and wealth all come from Him and there are no outages.

Thank you Lord, that Your power enables me to give You myself and all I have.


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In a Pickle

Scripture for Today: I Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong and steadfast.”

It is such an odd expression to speak of one’s self as “in a pickle.”  The word “pickle” came from the Dutch word “pekel” meaning something piquant.  William Shakespeare used this expression in 1610 for his play, The Tempest, when one character asked another “How camest thou in this pickle?” meaning “How did you get so drunk?”  Being in a pickle today can mean being in any sort of disagreeable situation.  That difficulty is likened to becoming a pickle by soaking in brine and vinegar.

Today’s verse goes further than just a disagreeable situation!  The early Christians faced real persecution because of their faith and many were even martyred.  Peter reminds them of God’s favor in calling them and of their future reward.  He also points out that the suffering is temporary and only for a little while.  How precious that God Himself will personally restore them and make them strong and firm after that suffering is over!

There is a closeness that seems to come uniquely through suffering.  I have heard so many share their gratitude for having cancer because of their special bond and closeness to the Savior through it!  In some mysterious way, God moves in close to those who are suffering.  His presence is felt like never before as He affirms and reassures of His love and plan.  There is something about sharing His suffering that brings a close relationship even closer.  He has been there for me at some of the lowest times of my life and I am thankful.

Lord, help me feel You there in the hard times.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2018)