Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


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Rest for the Weary

Scripture for Today: Mark 6:31 “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Walking the boardwalk of the Seaforth Marina in San Diego, we saw this squirrel sunning himself! With the warmth of the sun above and of the rock beneath, as well as the mesmerizing movement of the fish, he was having the perfect rest! Some squirrels take rest further with times of “torpor,” conserving energy by lowering their metabolism when in a cold climate. But for this fellow, his rest can be taken throughout the year with California’s generous sunshine!

Today’s verse has an invitation to rest, given by Jesus to his disciples. The constant coming and going of people with their needs was tiring. He encourages the disciples to come away with Him to a quiet place, without the people pressing in, a quiet place where they could rest. What follows is a time of intense activity; the miraculous feeding of the five thousand! (counting just the men) The disciples worked hard distributing all that food to so many and then gathering up the leftovers. Thankfully, they had that rest first!

Resting in a quiet place may not seem like such a spiritual and fruitful “activity.” Yet, that rest is with Him. His invitation to rest is not only to be refreshed physically but also to have my soul nourished and ready for whatever comes next! The disciples did not know what was coming next. But they were ready. I do not know what is next. But I need that same rest to be ready for whatever is around the corner.

Thank you Lord, for the rest you give!


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Don’t Upset the Apple Cart!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 16:8 “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

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This gentleman looks intent on keeping all his apples stable as he transports them to market with no chance of upset. The phrase, “don’t upset the apple cart” is thought to originate in the 18th century and according to an English professor, Anne Curzan, has a surprising meaning; the human body! At that time a ‘bread basket’ was your stomach, a ‘potato trap’ was your mouth, and the ‘apple cart’ was your body,” she said. To physically knock someone down was to upset the apple cart! Today’s meaning is advice not to disrupt a stable situation.

Today’s verse acknowledges that life can be unstable, full of changes and disruptive to the comfortable status quo. King David declares that he will not be shaken. He understood that it was the Lord who made his lot secure and not his armies nor his wealth and position. (verse 5) Rather than look to his circumstances, he keeps his eyes on the Lord for that sense of security and stability.

There may be some apples out of alignment on my cart. There may be a whole row of them about to fall! With the news being so volatile on the world stage, or when changes in my personal life blindside me I can certainly feel “shaken.” But I am reassured when I tear my eyes away from circumstances out of my control and redirect my attention to the One who has all the control! That sense of well-being, peace and security returns when I steadfastly look to Jesus. (Heb. 12:2)

Thank you Lord, for Your calming reassurance.


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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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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.