Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


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The Big “C”

Scripture for Today: Psalm 112:7 “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.”

Tears flow as I write.  In just one short week my list of friends having to battle cancer has grown by two.  There are already too many on that list.  In this image, a woman remains calm and serene receiving the news from her oncologist.  I do not know her or her story but I am amazed at the thought that a diagnosis of cancer could be received without panic and tears.

Today’s verse is one of my life verses.  I wear it on a custom pendant.  It helps me to face an unknown future with confidence.  This psalm of David’s is in the context of warfare.  The “they” are the righteous or those in right standing with God.  The righteous will not be shaken and God honors them for their trust in Him.  Even in the darkest of times, light dawns on those who belong to Him. (verse 4)  There is no fear of bad news because hearts can remain steadfast and sure, trusting in God’s power and goodness.

The Lord wants me to live confidently, sure of His control in every situation.  If I ever hear the “C” word for myself, I know that in the end I am victorious!  His plans are good because He is good.  I may never understand the “why” behind pain and suffering, but I can always cling to His love and goodness.  “C” may stand for cancer, but it can also stand for “Confidence.”

Lord, keep my heart steadfast and confident in You.


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Hex Signs

Scripture for Today: II Thessalonians 3:2-3  “And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.  But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

I had heard about hex signs but had never seen them in use.  Recently, we drove through the Pennsylvania countryside and saw a billboard advertising them.  They are put on barns or outbuildings and were originally meant to ward off evil.  They typically have a design that is circular and have a wheel or rosette in the middle.  They can be simple or elaborate and in modern times are used more for decoration than for any other purpose.

In today’s verse Paul asks the church members in Thessalonica to pray that he and his co-workers are delivered from wicked and evil people.  In proclaiming the Gospel Paul would encounter opposition from others.  More than that, he would encounter opposition from the evil one, meaning Satan. But in the same breath, Paul declares God’s faithfulness in giving strength and protection, reassuring the church that the same is true for them.

I am reassured as well in reading this verse.  I live in such an evil-ridden world but my soul is safe in His hands.  He always keeps His word and He promises that His strength is available.  His protection is real and He will not allow evil to gain the upper hand with me!  Regardless of how weak I may feel in the presence of evil, He will strengthen my faith and my resolve to resist (James 4:7).  He is faithful!  I know in whom I have placed my confidence.  It is He that is able to keep the soul that I have committed to Him until the very end (II Tim. 1:12).

Lord, help me be confident of Your protection.

 


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Flapjack Octopus

Scripture for Today: Psalm 36:6 “Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.“

It is obvious how this octopus got its name with its flat appearance.  This flapjack octopus was made famous by the character, Pearl, in the animated film, Finding Nemo.  Like Pearl they can be pink, but they can also be anywhere from transparent to deep red.  Unlike the film, this interesting creature can only live in very deep waters, 500 to 1,500 meters.  If they were to rise to be near the surface of the water they would turn into pink mush!

Today’s verse uses two extremes to describe the Lord’s righteousness and justice; the highest place on earth and the deepest.  His righteousness and justice are that encompassing!  There is no place on this earth where one can be outside His reach.  Even in the depths, He is there (Psalm 139:8).  All of earth is His creation and He has absolute control over it.  And because He is sovereign, His justice will prevail.  We look forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness will dwell as He has promised (II Peter 3:13).

How often I am discouraged to see the guilty go unpunished!  How disheartening it is to see God mocked and to even see the wicked prosper!  But God is just and there will be a day when every wrong will be put right.  He hears that betrayal.  He knows what that cheater did.  He sees what is done in secret.  Nothing, no matter how small, escapes His notice.  Because I can count on His ultimate justice, my heart is reassured.  My heart is especially peaceful to know that God’s justice concerning me was satisfied with Christ’s sacrifice!

How thankful I am Lord, that You are always just.


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Fly Casting

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

It looks complicated.  I cannot imagine the skill and dexterity it must take to fly cast correctly.  If it were me, I would have that line wrapped around me and everyone else!  Fortunately, there are lessons, classes and YouTube video instruction available.  Among the basic principles is the idea that every casting stroke is a smooth acceleration followed by an abrupt stop.  The better the “stop” the better the transfer of energy and the more efficient the cast.

Today’s verse describes a different kind of cast.  The form is not so important but we do want to get those cares and worries as far away as possible from us!  The Lord invites us to cast all of our care on to Him.  When we do, He will strengthen and sustain us.  Casting all our cares on to Him means an abrupt stop to those worrying thoughts and imaginings.  Leaving them with Him means that we can stand firm in our faith, regardless of the shaky ground.  He will never let the righteous, or those in right standing with Him, be shaken.

What a beautiful promise to claim when it seems like my world is falling apart!  He is there, waiting and willing to takes those cares off my shoulders. It is through prayer that I do the casting (Phil. 4:6).  I do not need to carry them.  Those worries do not have to weigh me down.  He invites me to give them all to Him.  No, He asks me to stop and throw them on Him!  And what sweet relief comes when I do!

Lord, keep me casting every one of my worries and cares on to You

 


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Harmony

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 4:3  “Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of the Spirit in the binding power of peace.”

Could these two be any more different from one another?  Yet, rather than fighting like cats and dogs, they seem to have found some measure of peace.  My daughter has two dogs and a cat and the domestic scene is not always as harmonious as pictured here!  The cat often tries to eat the dogs’ food and the dogs try the same thing!  Everyone has their personal space to be respected…..or not.

Today’s verse talks about something as unnatural as cats and dogs getting along together.  Harmony.  Oneness.  Peace.  It is not in our natures to strive for this.  It is so much easier to divide into factions or to stand up for one’s rights.  We want recognition and special treatment even at the cost of unity.

Without the Lord, peace with other believers would not even be possible.  Thankfully, we have the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  Our differences do not need to separate us.  Our differing races or languages do not have to be a barrier to harmony.  Even differing styles of worship do not have to divide us when we are walking by the Spirit.  Being “one” was the prayer of Jesus in John 17:23.  He prayed that our oneness would be a testimony to the world!

I am thankful to experience this oneness with French believers.  It is truly a work of the Spirit that unites us.  We are so different from one another.  Yet it is our common love for Jesus that binds us together.  That bond of peace is so sweet and worth all the effort to guard and keep!

Lord, keep me striving for unity and peace.