Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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What’s the Plan?

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

I doubt that this was the plan. This poor mouse finds himself precariously hanging on to a branch rather than foraging on the ground for food. Obviously, something happened to disrupt his plan! He finds himself the “poster child” for the quote: “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” This line from a poem in 1785 by Robert Burns was written to a mouse whose carefully built home was plowed over by a farmer. The message was that even with careful planning, there can arise an unforeseen circumstance that changes everything!

Today’s verse gives tremendous reassurance as we face a new year! There will be unforeseen circumstances in the coming twelve months. Some will be joyful and positive! Happy surprises await! But as with any year, some surprises will not be so welcome. Our plans may or may not come to fruition. We cannot know. But we can commit each of our plans, projects, hopes and dreams to the Lord. The word, “commit” in Hebrew has the idea of rolling down or rolling away. From our shoulders to His, we roll the questions, doubts and burdens of the future. He will establish our plans when we submit them to His control.

I have some great plans for this next year and I approach the new year with excitement! But with each proposed project, I want to surrender to His loving oversight. As my Lord, He has the final say, seeing what is ahead when I cannot. With His personal involvement in even the tiniest detail, I can roll any care, anxiety or doubt over to Him. He establishes the plan!

Thank you Lord, for the excitement of a New Year in Your grace!


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Obstacle Course

Scripture for Today: Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

I had never tried to do an above-ground obstacle course before. I wouldn’t recommend it if you are afraid of heights. I thought I could handle it during a women’s retreat at Forest Home. I knew from rock climbing in my college years that the harness would hold me up if (when) I fell. But I was no longer a college student. And the thought of climbing up those moving steps and having the harness abruptly pull me up made me wonder what I was thinking!! I will admit it. After my friend took the picture, I climbed back down to the stable level ground below!

Today’s verse was a prayer of David’s during a time of intense distress. He was being pursued by his enemies and he hides himself in God, entrusting his very life to Him. He claims God as his God and commits to following His will. David looks to God’s Spirit to lead him on level ground where he could be secure and stable. He needed to be led by God’s Spirit to ground that was free from dangers and obstacles.

My stability and security are not found in my circumstances. Sure, there are days that are smooth and uneventful. And I am thankful for them. But it is in the stress of not knowing which way to turn or what decision to make that I need that reassurance that He is leading me. When I am feeling vulnerable to evil in the world I need that confidence. I can feel secure knowing that He is present (Heb. 13:5) and that He will always keep His Word. (II Cor. 1:20)

Lord, keep me close to You for the stability and security You provide!


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All Directions?

Scripture for Today: Joshua 1:7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you.; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

These signs are common in France. Apparently, everywhere I want to go is to the left! “All Directions” is actually a helpful indication when trying to change course. It helps to know how to change direction when confused. Details come later. This sign at least points toward major streets from which one can exit the area. By following it, one can avoid going around in circles and getting tied up in a maze of one-way streets.

Today’s verse calls for strength and courage. This is the charge the Lord gave directly to Joshua as he took over as leader of the Israelites. The law came through Moses but was not to be considered invalid at his death. Obedience to the law was to continue. And following it would bring blessing and success.  But there was plenty of temptation to turn away from it. A few steps to the left or to the right would be detrimental. The verse warns us to be careful not to turn away from what God had said.

There are signs everywhere encouraging me to turn off with promises of an easier route. The sign, “All Directions” is everywhere. Surely, there is more than one way. Try this route, or maybe that one is just as valid with less trouble. There are roads that are narrow that lead to life or there are roads that are wide that lead to destruction (Matt 7:13-14). All directions? No, only one way leads to the destination I want. How important it is for me to choose God’s way!

Give me strength and courage Lord, to carefully follow Your way!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2015)


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Greener Grass

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:2-3a “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

This silly goat must be convinced that the grass is greener on the other side of his fence to be in this predicament! We cannot fault him too much as our longing for what might be just out of our reach is an apt description of many of us! The author and scholar James Pomerantz, proved in 1983 that grass at a distance will appear greener even when it is not! Without going into his optical and perceptual laws, it is seeing the blades of grass close up and perpendicular to the ground that will give us the true color.

Today’s verse speaks of green pastures. God, as our Shepherd leads us there and makes us to lie down. It is such a beautiful picture of rest and refreshment. The grass is plenty green as it is fed by quiet waters and it is there that our souls are refreshed. It is not on the other side of the fence. It is not out of reach. However, our Shepherd has to lead us there. It can be right in front of us but we are too busy and distracted to see it. We are also too busy to slow down and stop. He makes us lie down.

When I am feeling overwhelmed or discontent my soul needs refreshing. The world will tell me that I need to refresh myself with a spa treatment, the newest tech product or any number of theatrical or culinary distractions! I believe in having a balanced life that includes fun. But none of these touch my soul. Restoring my soul is spending time with my Shepherd in that green pasture. My soul is refreshed when He walks with me along those still waters. He calms that pervasive disquiet inside.

Thank you Lord, that spending time with You refreshes me.


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Mission Impossible

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:12 “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.”

The eighth and perhaps final film of the Mission Impossible franchise was shot on location in the arctic. This posed some challenges and the film’s director admitted there were a few, “polar-bear-related shutdowns!” But even with those delays the mission was not impossible. The choice to accommodate the wildlife was a good one. Although it was an expensive choice, the possible cost in physical harm was avoided. Tom Cruise was not wrong when he had earlier said, “our lives are the sum of our choices.”

Today’s verse talks about choices made by the one who fears and reveres the Lord. The choices faced by this individual can be guided by God. He instructs which choice is the good one but even more, which choice is the best one! The Lord sees ahead, around corners where the believer cannot. His guidance is invaluable as He sees the end from the beginning. The one who fears the Lord is the one who wants to serve Him and do His will. When that is our heart, He will respond with clear instruction.

Our choices do impact the trajectory of our lives. The choices I have made have not all been guided by the Lord. But when I confess my pride, doubt or lack of trust in seeking His counsel, He is so gracious to forgive. His way to do things is always the best way. And His guidance will always agree with what He has clearly instructed In His Word. My choices do define my life and my most important choice has been to make HIM the Lord of my life!

Thank you Lord that Your help is available in every choice!