Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Grace and Forgiveness


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Handle With Care

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

I have done enough moves to know that having the label, “Fragile, Handle with Care,” slapped on a box is no guarantee that nothing will break!  Sometimes that box with its fragile contents will be upside down, on the bottom of a stack of boxes, or dropped by well-meaning neighbors.  At least my boxes are taped shut as well as labelled, color-coded and numbered.  Even so, there are always a few items that don’t make the journey in one piece.

Today’s verse reassures the believer that the Lord is willing and able to handle all our cares.  He understands that we are fragile and easily broken.  Our bodies are like clay jars, susceptible to cracking in pieces for a reason; so that the power we live our lives by is seen to be from God and not ourselves (II Cor. 4:7)  There is no shame in admitting that we are fragile and in need of gentle handling.  It is in recognizing our weakness that we avail ourselves of His power (II Cor. 12:9).

It takes some humility to admit my need of His care.  I can only give Him my anxieties and experience that care if I humble myself first (I Peter 5:6-7).  The Lord wants to show favor, lift up and sustain those who turn to Him.  But He waits to be asked.  He waits to be needed.  I am too prone to thinking I am just fine and not needing His power.  My pride keeps me from admitting any weakness or need for care.  Until something breaks.  He picks up the pieces and because He cares, He makes things right.

Thank you Lord, for Your precious care.


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Bent by the Wind

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:6 “I am bent over and greatly bowed down; I go about mourning all day long.”

So many of the trees at this beach on the island of Sardinia were bent over as a result of the strong winds.  It was almost impossible to walk through a grove of them and avoid running into their lowered branches.  Some of them were practically horizontal.  Only a few provided the shade we needed at the right height for our picnic.  Even so, they managed to keep growing, in spite of the buffeting from those strong gusts of wind.

Today’s verse talks about being bent over and bowed down as an image for guilt over sin.  David feels the seriousness of his failures so keenly that he mourns all throughout the day.  He describes the guilt he feels as a burden too heavy to bear (verse 4).  He feels that the guilt is even affecting his health when he says there is no soundness in his bones because of his sin (verse 3).  He calls his sin, “folly” (verse 5).

This is exactly what guilt feels like.  But this description is before David confesses (verse 18).  David ends the psalm with confidence in God’s help and forgiveness.  Those strong winds of guilt have him bowed down but he is still standing.  Perhaps David was a “man after God’s own heart” because he recognized the seriousness of his sin and was willing to completely humble himself.

I do not often have this kind of guilt.  It is not that I do not sin as much or as seriously as David.  But I think I am sometimes desensitized to it.  Or my pride just does not allow me to think that I am quite that bad, or that what I have done is so serious.

Lord, examine my heart today.


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First Class

2014-03-19 19.12.53Scripture for Today: Psalm 4:3  “Know that the Lord has set apart His faithful servant for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.”

This has never happened before; my husband in first class!  A friend with extra points very generously upgraded him on his last transatlantic flight.  Randy, with his long legs, clearly relished all that extra space!

There is something very special about sitting apart behind that curtain.  It does not help that the rest of us to have to pass through first class on our way to our own small seats in the back.  We eye ball the freebies and all the little extras we will not be enjoying.  Before the rest of us even find our seats, the first class passengers are being very attentively served.  They are “set apart” from everyone else and each of their calls are quickly answered.

Our verse for today for today teaches that believers are also set apart.  We are set apart for a much different purpose; not to be spoiled but to serve Him faithfully.  This entire psalm is so beautiful in describing the blessings that are ours when we lead godly lives.  There is distress, but there is immediate relief when we call to Him (verse 1).  He shows good to those who trust Him (verse 5-6)  He fills the heart with greater joy than those who have no shortage of grain and wine (verse 7).  We can lie down and sleep in peace, knowing that He keeps us safe (verse 8).  What a beautiful picture of the care the Lord takes of us.  And it is all grace.  We do not deserve any bit of it.

Thank you Lord, that You have set me apart as Your own.  May I serve You more faithfully in gratitude for all You do for me!

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

 


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Lost Sheep

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:176 “I have strayed like a lost sheep.  Seek Your servant for I have not forgotten Your commands.”

This sheep looks a bit lost.  His companions are no where in sight and it looks as if he has completely lost his bearings.  Thankfully, he does not seem to be in any apparent danger.  He is not stuck in thorns or falling off a cliff, yet.  I can imagine that this sheep strayed because he did not follow the commands of the shepherd.  But even knowing he is lost does not solve his problem.  He needs to be sought out by his shepherd.

Today’s verse is the last verse of the longest psalm. The author, even though he has tremendous love and respect for God’s commands, still has a problem always following them.  After so many verses extolling and exalting God’s precepts, he ends with a cry for help.  He confesses his weakness and closes with a heartfelt prayer.

Seeing this verse reassures me.  The author is made of the same stuff I am.  I wondered if he was “super spiritual” to love and exalt God’s Law so much.  But in fact, like Paul, even knowing what is right to do does not mean we do it! (Romans 7:18-21)  We all stray from what is right.

Our Shepherd always seeks us out.  He will even leave the other ninety-nine to go out after the one who strays.  He keeps searching until that lost one is brought back! (Luke 15:4)  Christ’s whole purpose in coming to earth was to seek and save the lost! (Luke 19:10)  But to be found I need to realize that I am lost.  When I cry out for help, He is faithful to bring me back to His waiting arms.

Thank you Lord, for finding this lost sheep!

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


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Broken Pottery

unnamedScripture for Today: Psalm 31:12 “I am forgotten as though I were dead.  I have become like broken pottery.”

This happened.  I do not want to name names.  It was just one of those unfortunate freak accidents.  My Polish pottery is not only beautiful but special as it reminds me of trips to Poland with friends.  I doubt I will ever have the chance to replace it.  I had to bite my tongue so as not to make the culprit feel worse.  It is only an inanimate object and relationship is certainly more important.  There is not much use for it now unless I want half portions, which I do not!

In our verse for today David feels like broken pottery.  He feels the utter contempt of his enemies.  He is shunned by his neighbors and becomes an object of dread.  It is as though he were useless and of no importance.  David feels himself slipping into depression and views his life as falling apart.  The psalm turns around in verse 14 when he says, “But I trust in You, Lord.”  He begins to see the abundance of good things God has done and ends the psalm addressing all who hope in the Lord to be strong and take heart!

There are times I can relate to these feelings of loneliness and brokenness.  But like David, I can turn to the only One who can pick up those broken pieces and make something new and useful from them.  It is never too late to trust Him because in His capable hands, nothing is beyond repair.  It is because of His grace that I can take heart, regardless of my circumstances, regardless of my failures and regardless of broken relationships.

I am never forgotten or defeated because of His incredible healing love!  Thank you, Lord.

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