Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


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The Right to Disconnect

Scripture for Today: Psalm 85:8 “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly.”

France has just passed a labor law that makes sending after-hour emails illegal between employer and employee!  The idea is to minimize work-related stress as technology often blurs the lines between personal and professional life.  Companies of over fifty employees are expected to comply.  I can understand the good intentions behind this law but can envision all kinds of complicated problems it can create too!  But the right to disconnect has its appeal.  When we leave work physically it would be nice to leave behind all thought of work as well.

Today’s verse is a declaration from David to listen to all that God says.  He connects listening to God’s voice with the peace of obedience and right relationship with Him.  This peace is promised to those who are faithful to obey Him.  But turning again to our own foolish ideas destroys that peace.  When we turn a deaf ear to His voice, we act like foolish sheep who get themselves into trouble.  We listen to the voice of our Shepherd so that we can follow His footsteps (John 10:27).

We all have the right to disconnect from God but it can be risky, especially after hours and on the weekends!  His voice keeps me out of trouble.  His voice keeps me from harm of my own making.  And His voice speaks peace to my soul.  He is so hard to hear sometimes with all the other voices clamoring for attention.  He is loud enough.  It is just that I am not quiet enough to wait and expect His voice.

Lord, I need to hear Your voice today.


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Time Out

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 32:17 “The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

All a mother wants is peace and quiet.  With lack of sleep and an overwhelming schedule, the last thing she wants to deal with is a toddler’s tantrum.  At least for a few minutes there is blessed peace and quiet as the sobs subside and the anger dissipates.  One can hope that those few moments in the corner will lead to some understanding of their bad behavior.  But at the very least, there is a break in the action and a chance to catch one’s breath!  Both toddler and mother can rediscover a sense of calm.

Today’s verse talks about a time when God’s Spirit is poured out on Israel.  It will be a time of peace and blessing.  There will no longer be strife and oppression because of the Lord reestablishing His justice.  The contrast is stark between life with His righteousness and life without it.  When His laws are obeyed, the “desert becomes a fertile field and the fertile field seems like a forest” (verse 15).  What a beautiful picture of how God wants life to be!

We long for peace but we do not seem to make that connection with righteousness.  Instead we connect peace to getting enough sleep, having the right environment or having our every wish fulfilled.  But peace is intricately linked to my obedience to Him.  When I follow His way, I can enjoy that sense of quietness and confidence.  I have that peace with God, not because I am perfect but because He makes me righteous through faith in His Son (Rom.3:22).  But I still need to have those “time outs” to think about following Him more closely!

Help me Lord, to experience Your peace today.


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Highest Mountain

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 54 :10 “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed, ‘ says the Lord who has compassion on you.”

It was a simple question; “Which is the highest mountain?”  But I found that the answer was not quite so simple.  Mount Everest, pictured here, has the highest elevation above sea level at 8,848 meters.  But Mauna Kea is the tallest at 10,000 meters if you count the 6000 meters below sea level.  But wait!  Chimborazo is the highest mountain above Earth’s center.  Our oblate spheroid-shaped earth is widest at its equator and because this mountain is just one degree south of that point, it earns the distinction of highest mountain above Earth’s center.

Regardless of which mountain is highest, they are all breathtaking and majestic.  Their soaring heights and rough terrain bring to mind strength, stability and permanence.  One cannot imagine these mountains crumbling into the sea, let alone being shaken.  Today’s verse uses the image of the mountains and the hills to describe the unending faithful love the Lord has for His own.  His love and promise of peace is even more sure than their strong reassuring presence.  Even if the mountains and hills were to disappear, His love and promise of peace will continue.

His love is a compassionate love, full of grace and mercy and forgiveness.  There is no love on this earth that comes close to His unending faithful love.  It is so sure and real, that I can and do build my life on it.  He does not disappoint.  He promises that those who hope in Him will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49:23).

Thank you Lord, for a “love that will not let me go.”


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Weary

Scripture for Today: Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This poor dog looks completely spent.  Not sure what his day looked like, but apparently it was exhausting!  I look exactly like this, especially during the frantic-paced Christmas season!  The normal do-able schedule goes out the window with the addition of shopping, parties, baking, concerts, decorating, etc.  But of course, this picture could represent many times during the year when life just seems too much!  When the coming weekend will not give me respite then I know I am too busy!

Today’s verse does not promise that the schedule will be lighter.  These words of Jesus do not even promise sleep.  But they do promise something even more important; rest for our souls.  The circumstances may not change, but our sense of peace and well-being can change.  It does not involve exercise, calming music, going to church or a hot tub.  This rest He promises goes much deeper and touches our innermost being.  It is a rest that lifts the weariness and burdens of our hearts.

I so often miss it.  The answer is too simple.  I am to come to Him in faith and quietness.  All the distractions of the day can fade away in His loving presence.  All the worries and anxieties crowding my mind can be laid aside.  It is as if I have been holding my breath trying to keep it all together.  But when I kneel in His presence and soak up His love, I can give a sigh of relief.

Thank you Lord, for the rest You promise.  Keep me coming to You all day long.

 

 


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Peaceful River

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.”

There is something so restful about water.  It has such a calming affect on the spirit.  The reflections on the surface of the still water can make me sigh.  And the repetitive sounds of the waves gently lapping the shore lull me into a sense of well-being.  Stay long enough and tensions leave the body and time seems to stand still.  The water mesmerizes me and when I leave it, I somehow leave refreshed.

Today’s verse describes our peace and well-being like a river.  That peace comes as a result of following God’s way.  His way includes leading us by quiet waters and restoring our souls (Psalm 23:2).  His commands are designed for our good.  He teaches us what is best for us (verse 17).  But in our independent spirit, we do not pay attention to how He leads, or if we do, we think we know better!  That peaceful river alludes us as we move away from the Lord of peace.

When I am listening and obeying God’s voice, I experience peace with Him.  There are sweet times and a clear sense of His pleasure when I am not fighting Him.  Submitting to Him can be a struggle, but worth the effort when I can feel that deep heart peace in the middle of turmoil around me.  He calms my spirit and anxious thoughts.  Regardless of my circumstances, the still waters of His peace get me through, guarding my heart.

Lord, keep me obedient and close to the quiet waters of Your peace today.