Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Hope


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Lunar Eclipse

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 60:19 “The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”

How strange it was the other night to see the “super moon” slowly being darkened by the shadow of the earth.  It was called a “super moon” because it was at its fullest and because it was at the closest point of its orbit with the earth.  A news agency called it, “a glorious view of the heavens,” and “a glorious heavenly event.”  It was certainly rare as the next time this happens will not be until 2033.

This eclipse was a partial one so we were not left totally in the dark.  As beautiful as an eclipse or sunset can be, they leave us with less light and increasing darkness.  But one day there will no longer be any darkness at all.  The Lord will be our light and it will be everlasting.  His glory will shine as bright as day.  There will no longer be any need of the sun or the moon.

That everlasting light is not just in our future, but He has promised to place some of that light in our hearts today! (II Cor. 4:6)  It shines in our hearts to give us an inkling of His overwhelming glory.  And it is displayed in the face and presence of Christ.  The more I approach Him the brighter that light becomes!  I can “walk in the light” (I John 1:7) and experience sweet fellowship.  I want to bask in the warmth of His loving light and not obscure it with the shadows of my sin.

Lord, may I walk in the light of Your presence today.

 


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Withered Leaves

Scripture for Today: Psalm 1:3 “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

One of my favorite activities as a child was to jump in a big pile of raked leaves!  I can still remember doing so with my neighbor friends, exasperating their Dad for destroying his hard work!  Fall is beautiful when seeing all those brightly colored leaves.  But when they turn brown and dry and fall from the branches, the bare limbs make me a bit sad.  The green is gone.  The colors are finished, and one is left with something forlorn and withered.

Today’s verse describes a seasonal cycle unknown in our experience.  There is no Autumn as leaves do not wither, die and fall from the branches.  This unique season enjoys continual growth and greenery.  There is seasonal fruit and a steady supply of water for this tree planted by streams of water.  What a beautiful image of the one who delights in the law of the Lord! (verse 2)

The wicked are pictured as chaff that dries up and blows away (verse 4).  What a contrast!  Rather than being vibrant and living, the chaff is simply the dry husks of grains and grasses.  It is utterly useless and is carried away with the slightest breeze.  But the Lord does not allow His own to be dried up and useless.  There may be differing seasons of fruitfulness, but the leaves never wither.  His life continues within and He never stops working in me!  Because of being planted in Him, I will stay green and vibrant and beautiful.  Because of Him my shade is inviting and my limbs provide protection.

Thank you Lord, that You can and do use me in spite of myself!

 


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Daffodils

daffodilsScripture for Today:  Psalm 66:12 “You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance.”

I will never forget visiting this beautiful immense expanse of daffodils with my Father.  It was breathtaking!  They just went on and on as far as the eye could see.  Skagit Valley, Washington is not only known for its daffodils but also for its tulips.  Most all bulb flowers do so well here because the soil is rich with volcanic ash.

Today’s verse begins on a negative note.  David understands that God is testing him.  The context of this verse explains that God tests and tries us as silver is tried (verse 10).  The testing includes nets and afflictions, being ridden over, as well as going through fire and water.  Through all of this, David remains faithful to the Lord.  In fact, his response is to go into the house of the Lord to worship Him with sacrifice.  Instead of bitterness for a hard life, he says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” (verse 16)

What God did for David’s soul was to bring him into a wide open place, a place of abundance.  Just as those daffodils thrive on volcanic ash in the soil, I too can come to a place of beauty and growth after the fiery trial.  This place of abundance is the same place in Psalm 23 that is full of green pastures and still waters that restore my soul.  If in bitterness I shun His presence than I miss out on that abundant place of refreshment!  It is there that He reassures me of His love and care.

Lord, help me find that place of abundance!


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Pearl

Scripture for Today: James 1:2-4  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

My Chinese Mother-in-Law has wonderful taste in jewelry.  In the early fifties she bought a beautiful pearl broach in Hong Kong.  Because of her generosity, my daughters and I each have a beautiful pearl ring that came from this piece.  I am no expert on pearls, but the color and luster of that pearl is gorgeous.  I could never afford something like that today.  It amazes me that something so beautiful can come from an ugly lowly oyster!

The pearl is formed in an oyster as a protective gesture.  If a foreign substance slips in between its “mantle” and its shell, the mantle covers that irritant with layers and layers of its nacre.  Over time, the repeated secretion of that nacre is what eventually creates that beautiful pearl.

The making of a pearl reminded me of our verse for today.  The “pearl” of endurance is the beautiful result of faith-testing.  The irritant for the oyster can be likened to the trials and difficulties in life.  For the believer, every difficulty that tests faith is used for something positive.  Patient endurance brings us to completion.  Something ugly and irritating can be turned into something beautiful.

It takes a lifetime of trial and difficulties to produce a beautiful enduring strong spirit.  It is not a comfortable life but the end result is worth it.  Christ has promised to bring to completion what He has started in me (Phil. 1:6).

There is joy to know a “pearl” is in the making!  Thank you, Lord, for what Your loving tests are accomplishing in me!

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


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Noise Abatement

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 62:5  “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.”

There are times when silence seems very elusive!  At my in-laws’ home near the airport, the planes seem to fly over continually.  There is no need for an alarm clock if one starts the day at 7 am as that begins their noisy passage overhead.  However, the noise could be much worse.  The John Wayne airport is one of the country’s most noise sensitive airports.  It sits in the center of Orange County’s residential areas.  Their noise abatement rules are very strict with ten monitors making sure the airplanes stay within specific noise limits.  Even so, I am often distracted with the sound of their engines.

Sometimes I need to insist on some “noise abatement” in my own life.  The television blaring, the music playing, or the neighbor’s noise can all conspire to keep me from turning my thoughts to spiritual things.  Our verse for today talks about waiting for God in silence.  When all the noisy distractions are gone, my soul can finally listen for His still small voice.

It is in the silence that I wait for God to speak, wait for Him to answer prayer, or wait for Him to act on my behalf.  In the stillness my soul is quieted with thoughts of His love and His power to save.  In His reassuring presence I am reminded that He is my hope; my only hope.  In the silence, thoughts of my Lord calm me down.  I so need those quiet times.  My soul can then continue to be quieted when I need to re-enter my noisy world.

Thank you Lord, for those precious silent moments with You.

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