Grace and Forgiveness | Devotions By Jan

June 11, 2014
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Good Deal

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

I was recently in the city of Avallon, France with my French Gospel choir. We had just enough time to do some shopping before the rehearsal and concert. I normally take a lot of time when shopping to compare prices and make decisions. But this time, I knew a good deal when I saw it! The saleslady in a small shop said this hat was not for sale as it was part of the decoration. But with a little cajoling, she agreed to sell it but was not sure what price to ask. She ended up practically giving it to me for a ridiculously low price! I am not sure the owner will be too happy with her.

Our verse for today talks about salvation being a free gift of God. There is no better deal than that! It is because of God’s unmerited favor that He offers us eternal life. We cannot claim it as coming from our own good works or efforts. It is entirely a free gift.

There is something about “free” that suggests a lesser value. When something is free we are less likely to value it. If we did not pay a high price than we tend to take less care about it. But with eternal life, the cost was enormous! It is just that Someone else paid that price. The price was death, a death that I should have paid for my own sin. Instead, Jesus paid the price for me.

Yes, His gift is free, but oh what He suffered to pay for it! Thank you Lord, for Your salvation, so rich and full and free.

May 14, 2014
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Dust Bunnies

Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:14 “for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”

We have a scene just like this one in our future. As soon as we move out our very heavy bookcases, there is sure to be some “dust bunnies” hiding out. Between bird dander, cat hair and dust from the yard, our dust bunnies continue to grow each year we are here! I sneeze just thinking about it! But it is nothing in the face of a little vacuuming and water.

I have no compassion for this dust, but our verse for today is written in the context of God the Father’s compassion for His children. He is not only compassionate but gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love (verse 8). For those who fear Him, He forgives rather than accuses and does not treat us as our sins deserve (verses 9-10). He calls to mind how very weak we are. We are formed from some weak material; dust.

There are times I need to remember how I was formed as well. Prideful thoughts can have me believing I am really something and without a real need for God. But in fact I am nothing without Him. I am weak and as inconsequential as a dust bunny blowing around under the bed. It is in the hands of my Creator that I can become something of value. He works in me to give the desire and the strength to please Him (Phil. 2:13). I may be as weak as dust, but in Him I can be strong.

God invites me to “Look to the Lord and His strength and seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4. His strength is equal to anything He asks of me.

Thank you Lord, for your gracious patient compassion for me!

May 6, 2014
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Backpacks

Scripture for Today: Psalm 38:4 “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”

I remember when our children were young and carrying backpacks. The French schools they attended did not have lockers. Everyday was a challenge to walk to school with that load of books on their backs. Recently a study on French news reported that 80% of the French suffer from some kind of back pain. Perhaps the numbers are high because of those backpacks. Of course, much more is known today about design and the best way to carry that load.

I wonder if John Bunyan was thinking of our verse for today when he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress. In his allegory, Christian, the main character, makes his way to the “place of deliverance.” There, the straps holding the burden to his back are broken and his burden rolls away. That burden on his back represents all his sin and guilt. That place was a picture of the cross and the forgiveness we find in the sacrifice of Jesus.

Guilt for sin can feel like a heavy burden. It weighs us down and makes life miserable. The only solution for relieving ourselves of that burden is what David found, asking God for His forgiveness. David described himself as bowed down with his sin (verse 6) and he describes his back as “filled with searing pain.” (verse 7)

As a child I sang the song, “Roll Away.” I did not understand then what “every burden of my heart roll away” meant. I just enjoyed doing the hand motions! Unconfessed sin had not yet built up on my young back as a child. But I understand now that there is no relief from the heaviness of guilt without His loving forgiveness.

Thank you Lord, for removing that heavy burden of guilt.

April 7, 2014
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Freedom

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 3:12 “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

Lately, I have been finding limited edition collector plates in thrift stores. The French and Germans do not always understand pricing on these items and at only one euro, I am not too willing to tell them! This plate has been prominently displayed in our dining room for years. I am proud of the part that America played in WWII. Liberating France was one of our finer moments. The celebration of freedom pictured here warms my heart. There is confident joy as this parade makes its way down the boulevard unimpeded.

Our verse for today speaks of a new freedom we have with God. There is a new and living Way to enter God’s presence; through His Son, Jesus. No longer is the system of animal sacrifice needed as Jesus was our perfect sacrifice once and for all (Hebrews 10:19-20). Because of what Christ did on that cross, I have freedom and confidence to approach the God of the universe in His very throne room!

For the French to spill out on to the street with confidence and celebrate their new freedom, they had to believe the war was really over. Imagine if they had not believed it but continued hiding in their homes! Our victory has been secured by Christ, but there is no celebration, freedom, or confidence to approach God without believing in what He accomplished for us!

Because of Christ and my faith in Him, I have daily access to God. He liberated me at a huge price to make it possible! No longer do I have to cower in fear and shame for sin. He invited me close in and lifts up my head. What freedom! What confidence! Thank you, Lord.

April 2, 2014
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Proud Eagle

Scripture for Today: Obadiah 1:4 “‘Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the Lord.”

There is nothing more regal looking than the proud eagle! Its keen vision and powerful flight makes it stand out from other birds. It symbolizes strength and independence. Their nests are built in the top quarter of the tallest trees. These nests are high and inaccessible and from that vantage point they can easily spot their prey.

There is something about being at a higher elevation that makes one feel strong and invincible. Years ago we visited Adlerhorst, or Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s military command complex. It was built in a beautiful mountainous area behind and underneath the Krarsberg Castle. The eagle was a symbol of the Third Reich, but Eagle’s Nest, refers to the elevated position and commanding view. Of course, the Lord brought down its proud former resident.

Our verse for today is a warning from the prophet, Obadiah, to Israel’s enemy, Edom. They were feeling proud and secure, trusting in their own defenses. Pride, or haughty eyes is something the Lord particularly hates (Prov. 6:16). Pride sets itself up against God and leads to just about every other sin. At the heart of every disobedience is the prideful feeling that I do not need God, that rules do not apply to me, or that I somehow know better than my Creator what is good for me! No wonder He hates it!

I am so grateful to be forgiven and under no condemnation in Christ (Rom. 8:1). Even so, my pride can get me in so much trouble! How much grace I forgo by my lack of humility! (James 4:6)

Lord, help me recognize and confess my pride. I do not want to miss out on your grace today!