Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Guidance


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What a Comfort!

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 23:4  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”


My husband could not resist pulling off the side of the road in the French countryside to get this picture. We have it on our wall with the twenty third Psalm printed below it. I was surprised that one lone shepherd could keep all these sheep in line! But perhaps they were more of a “flock” than a “mob” which is what a group of sheep are called in Australia and New Zealand. He does look to have a rod in his hand, so needed to keep those silly sheep in line. Without the shepherd’s intervention, the sheep would wander all over the place and get themselves in trouble.

Today’s verse calls the rod and staff a “comfort.” The rod was a sturdy club fashioned from a thick wooden branch. It was used to protect the sheep, direct them and keep them on the right path. The longer staff with its hooked end was used more for gentle guidance and for rescue when needed. With God’s protection, direction and rescue, the “sheep” representing believers, have no reason to fear evil.

What may look like an impediment to my freedom is actually used for my good! These tools of my Shepherd may certainly feel uncomfortable but like the psalmist I can say that they are a comfort. What a comfort to know that He is keeping me on that “path of righteousness!” What a comfort to know that He is protecting me from evil! What a comfort it is to know that even if I get myself into trouble because of my own stubbornness, He is there to rescue me!

Thank you Lord, that with You as my Shepherd I have no reason to fear!


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Are You Blue?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.”

Of course this bird is blue. After all, he is called a BLUE Jay! But did you know that his feathers are actually brown? There is no blue pigmentation. His feather structure works like a prism, refracting or bending the light to appear blue. If you back light a single feather, you see only brown! Perhaps this is the idea behind the phrase, “bending the truth.” This expression showed up in a play in the seventeenth century and today refers to distorting or reshaping the truth by intentionally leaving out facts, without actually lying.

Today’s verse talks about God’s truth. It is not “my” truth or anyone else’s! It is His which means it is not up for a majority vote nor does it become obsolete. His truth is not only perfect, complete and all-knowing but it is truth that guides and teaches. It will not bend or distort facts to be more agreeable. Walking in His truth I will see the world unfiltered as it really is. His Word is truth (John 17:17) and it is my litmus test for all that aspires to be truth.

The truth of this verse seems so straightforward. Yet, in a world of artificial intelligence and media manipulation, the landscape can appear perfectly blue when it is not at all! To avoid deception I want to continually bathe myself in the truth of His Word! He uses His truth to guide and direct, avoiding potential potholes. But the wisdom that comes from Him requires that I have the humility to ask for it! (James 1:5)

Lord, guide and teach me in Your truth today!


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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)