Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Hope


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Trees That Weep?

Scripture for Today: Psalm 126:6 “Those who go out weeping carrying seeds to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

Despite living almost three decades in France I had never seen a European Weeping Beech tree. But in Rhode Island, on the grounds of the Château sur Mer in Newport I saw this incredible sight! The drooping branches were so thick, the trunk was not even visible. The English call it the “upside down tree!” Several species of trees including the Weeping Willow are called, “Weeping,” if they grow pendulous branches. I am not sure I would want such a weepy looking tree in my yard.

Today’s verse describes a weeping that ends in joy! What an amazing reversal promised to the Israelites!  The Lord would bring back their captives and restore their fortunes causing all the neighboring nations to sit up and take notice. The Lord will be known as having done great things for them. All those tears are replaced with laughter and songs of joy!

This promise has many layers as I too can look forward to a time when my weeping and sorrow will be transformed! Laughter and joy will echo in the halls of Heaven as I enjoy a hope that is realized forever!  Weeping will be a distant memory. Everything today that is sad and awful will seem light compared to the weight of glory that I will one day enjoy! (II Cor. 4:17) God’s promise of life without end keeps me looking forward. Weeping only stays for the night but joy WILL COME in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

Thank you Lord, for the songs of joy yet to be sung!


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A Disappointed Dog

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:3 “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.”

The day was full of promise and the sunshine beckoned. This dog, full of pent-up energy, bounds outside with his ball, hoping for a game of catch. Barking and jumping he approaches who he thinks is a likely playmate. The video of what happened next shows him repeatedly offering the ball and barking with excitement. But of course, nothing happens except for the dog losing hope and eventually walking away disappointed.

Today’s verse validates the hope the believer places in the God of the Bible. No one who hopes in the Lord Almighty will be put to shame. Our confident expectation in His promises will never be disappointed as He is always true to His Word. To place our hope in anything or anyone else is to set ourselves up for potential disappointment. Shame and disappointment do come to the “treacherous” who mistakenly think they will not be held accountable.

It is God’s love for me that motivates me to keep my hope firmly fixed on Him. (Rom. 5:5) My family, my friends, my government, or my circumstances can all disappoint. I do not want to be like that silly dog, trusting in what will not come through. The Lord God has all the power, all the resources and all the control to come through in any difficulty I face. So why would I turn to anything else? I will trust in His “unfailing love.” (Psalm 13:5)

Lord, keep my hope firmly fixed on You.


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A New Beginning

Scripture for Today: Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are NEW every morning: great is Your faithfulness.”

Life is full of new beginnings and this week marks another one. We celebrate the new year with hopes that there will be some positive changes in our lives and in our world. For some it is with a sigh of relief that the last year is left behind. Even though there may be some trepidation facing the unknown, there is also potential for something new and we look forward with expectation! But as the year progresses, that sense of newness can somehow wear off.

Today’s verses gives us reason to face not only the start of each new year with hope but also the start of each new day. The Lord reassures His own of His love and compassions. And just like the sunrise, His compassions are new every morning. They are not warmed up leftovers from the day before! Every day He is faithful to reveal something new about Himself. Every morning He shows His compassion by allowing our eyes to fly open and begin a new day.

There is only one reason I can face this new year with confidence and optimism: His love and compassion. They will not fail me regardless of what may come. His love is so great that it reaches higher than the heavens. And His faithfulness is so great that it reaches to the skies. (Psalm 108:4) The sun will rise every morning of this new year and so will His love and compassion for me. He has promised and He is faithful.

Lord, help me to trust Your faithful love and compassion.


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The Hope Diamond

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

The Hope diamond, after a long history of ownership, sits proudly in the Smithsonian Institute where visitors can be amazed at its opulence. At 45.52 carats it is surrounded by 16 smaller white diamonds. And even the chain is composed of 45 diamonds! This diamond has gone through several different cuttings and settings since its discovery in India in the 1600’s. But it wasn’t until 1839 that this diamond was referred to as the “Hope” diamond, having been owned by the Hope family. I always called my wedding ring diamond the Hope diamond, hoping that despite its size, people could see it!

Today’s verse talks about hope that is deferred, meaning postponed or delayed. In contrast, when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. This week begins Advent Season, the four Sundays marking our approach to the birth of Christ. The first one celebrates HOPE as we are reminded of all the prophesies fulfilled in the first coming of the Messiah. We are encouraged to continue hoping as we anticipate His triumphal second coming. Christ’s coming fulfilled the hope and deep longing for true life! He Himself is LIFE (John 14:6) and HOPE! (I Tim. 1:1)

When hope is lost, there is no life. We all need to have hope. Unfortunately, when hope is placed in what does not deliver, the heart becomes sick. But my hope is placed in the One who gave me life. His coming as that baby in a manger led to a sacrificial death and resurrection that makes my hope of eternal life sure. I live with that hope. I will die with that hope. Jesus is the “joy of man’s desiring,” the fulfillment of my deepest longings! As beautiful as all the trappings of Christmas are, Christ’s birth represents my hope for today, my hope for tomorrow and my hope for eternity!

Thank you Lord, for being my hope.


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Jumping to Conclusions?

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

(Photo by Richard Ivey @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anamorphic_frog_sculpture_by_Jonty_Hurwitz.jpeg)

Who would have thought that this distorted flat and elongated sculpture could actually be the frog pictured in the mirrored cylinder? I would not have! I would jump to the conclusion that the one had very little to do with the other. This is an example of “mirror anamorphosis.” It was developed during the Ming Dynasty in China. A curved mirror is placed before a sculpture or drawing to transform the flat distorted image into an undistorted one!

Today’s verse likens our spiritual growth to seeing only a reflection in a mirror. Our perspective is suspect as we do not see what we finally will be. We only know in part what will be the finished product of God’s work in us. What we will be has not yet been made known to us (I John 3:2) but we do know that we will not be just a new and improved version of ourselves. Better than that, we will resemble Christ!

I am fully known by my Creator. He knows me a whole lot better than I know myself. It is amazing that He loves me just the way I am. But He has more for me. He is slowly transforming me to be more like Him. My image of myself and that mirror are both flawed. But one day I will not only be complete but I will understand all that is blurry and distorted here. I can be content with only knowing “in part,” because I can trust Him and His work in me!

Thank you Lord, for the “future me!”

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)