Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


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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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Negotiating Peace

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 48:18 “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.“

It is fitting that this peace symbol includes an image of the earth. The longing for peace is common to our whole world. This symbol dates back only to 1958 and was created to represent the British anti-nuclear movement. But peace in our world seems to be the exception rather than the rule. The dove is of course a symbol of peace in the Judeo-Christian world. In trying to negotiate peace, there is normally give and take, demands and concessions for both parties.

Today’s verse gives a condition for peace with the God of the Bible. But there is really no negotiating for it. God’s peace through His Son, Jesus, is a gift (John 14:27) and is not like the peace that the world can give. That is a good thing as His peace is faithful and true like Himself. His peace is as calming as a river reflecting the sky or like the waves that lull away anxiety. The condition for His divine peace is our obedience to His commands. Because of our disobedience, we were all at one time His enemies. But with the substitutional sacrifice of God’s Son, we can enjoy peace with our Creator.

His peace is an absence of conflict with Him. He paid an enormous price to achieve it and will not renege on His promise. Having this peace with God is my starting place for peace with others. It is also where being peaceful comes from in the face of disturbing news and personal challenges. I can “rest in peace” now in this life as well as enjoy His peace forever! What an amazing gift for those who walk in obedience and trust in Him!

Thank you Lord, for peace in disturbing times.
 


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Holding Me Up

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

If you were to board a “vaporetto” or public water bus in Venice, you would be sure to see this startling sculpture. It has a prominent place on the Grand Canal and the gleaming white hands seem to rise up from the water to hold up this hotel. It was sculpted by Lorenzo Quinn, the son of Hollywood’s Anthony Quinn, in 2017. Not surprisingly he named it, “Support.” This artist used his talent to showcase the delicate balance between Venice and the sea.

Today’s verse reassures us that there are hands that hold us up. God speaks this special message to the Israelites in a passage that declares His power over all of their adversaries. There is no reason to fear or be dismayed at the opposition. That is because He promises His strength and help. In the same way, the believer today can be confident. If God is for us who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) and because of HIs love upholding us we are MORE than conquerors. (Rom. 8:37)

There are so many verses that tell us not to fear. A friend of mine is going through each one of these verses as she helps her husband through cancer treatment. Opposition comes in many forms. But whatever I may face that threatens to bring me down, there are hands holding me up. Anxiety, worry, what if’s or even a mild disquiet is not what the Lord wants me to feel. He offers His strength, His help, His support and His love. In looking forward to an unknown future, there is no room for fear!

Thank you Lord, that You will always hold me up.


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A Message of Peace

Scripture for Today: Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

They came down from the sky above and were obviously not from the neighborhood. Their appearance was other worldly. But their mission was clear. They left a message that said, “We came in peace for all mankind.” The year was 1969 and that message was left by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin when they walked the surface of the moon.

Today’s verse is also a message of peace. But this was the message of the angels to the shepherds in the fields at the occasion of Christ’s birth. This peace is nothing like what the world can produce. It is a peace between estranged mankind and their Creator. In our rebellion we were enemies against the God of the universe (Romans 5:10). But God initiated a reconciliation through the substitutionary death of His Son. Jesus Himself is our peace. For those who accept His forgiveness through the cross, there is now a relationship possible with Him where before there was none.

The huge obstacle to having peace with God was my sin. But because He has paid the punishment I so richly deserved, there is now a closeness and communion. I can enjoy His presence in my life as I am no longer under any condemnation (Romans 8:1). Not only is there peace with Him but He enables me to live in peace with others! And what is really amazing is that sense of peace and well-being He puts in my heart. What an incredible gift to live with this inner peace in a world that is so troubled!

Thank you Lord, for Your amazing gift of peace.


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Chaos Theory

Scripture for Today: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

The contrast is a stark one noted on this sign, and recently in our world as well. There is a theory called, “Chaos Theory,” that attempts to explain the unpredictable. Rather than traditional science that deals with the predictable, as in gravity or certain chemical reactions, Chaos Theory teaches us to expect the unexpected. It is a science of surprises that are impossible to predict or control. Categorizing what we cannot control as “chaos,” does not do much to reassure me!

Today’s verse does reassure me. There may be political unrest or chaos in our world but the Lord has plans that are never frustrated or foiled. His sovereignty is absolute. He allows and He blocks the plans of men. He is not random or capricious but always has a design of His own that will supersede our own plans. His unseen plans will never be thwarted by man as they stand firm and forever. In contrast to chaos, and despite chaos, there is an ordered objective to what God is allowing.

This truth gives me tremendous comfort when my world seems to be spinning out of control, whether on a large or personal scale. Nothing takes the God of the universe by surprise. He has no need to modify or change His plans as He knows the end from the beginning. He never says, “uh-oh,” nor does He wring His hands. He has the world in those hands and because He does, I can have rest in the middle of unrest.

Thank you Lord, that Your plans stand firm.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2021)