Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


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Seaweed

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.”

This seaweed looks beautiful waving its fronds in the water.  I normally see and smell seaweed washed up on the shore, giving off a terrible odor.  But when growing underwater it can be beautiful and mesmerizing in its movement.  It is cultivated for lots of different uses, including medicine, filtration, fertilizer and food.  Two important elements are essential for seaweed to grow; seawater and sunlight.

I could not help but think of what is needed for the believer to grow as well; Living Water (John 4:10) and the Light of the World ( John 8:12)  Both refer to Jesus Himself who slowly transforms into His image.  But there is something else needed for most species of seaweed to thrive, and that is a rock.  They have what is called a “holdfast” which is a basal disk providing attachment to a rock!

Our verse for today praises God for being that faithful and eternal Rock.  He provides protection from waves that would dislodge us.  Being our Rock means He is our refuge and shelter.  Holding fast to Him gives strength to grow and thrive, regardless of the circumstances.  The Lord Himself is my stability in a world that seems to be in constant motion and change.

Because He is my eternal Rock, I know He will always be there for me.  He does not move and I know where to find Him.  I find Him in the pages of the “love letter” He wrote for me.  I find Him in the sweet reassurances He whispers to my heart.  His words are eternal and I can trust Him like no other!

Thank you Lord, for being my eternal and trustworthy Rock.

 


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The Shadow of His Hand

Scripture for Today:  Isaiah 51:16 “I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.'”

On a burning hot day I am looking to walk in the shadow of buildings or trees.  I will go out of my way to avoid direct sunlight and I look for those shadows.  They give relief and make the walk so much more pleasant.

The shadow of a person can evoke a variety of emotions.  When one thinks of a shadow, it can sometimes be in a context of fear!  If the presence is menacing than it follows that the shadow of that presence is as well.  But a shadow can be reassuring and even comforting when it comes from a loving presence.

Our verse for today uses the image of the shadow of God’s hand.  It is a powerful hand that has established the heavens and the earth.  The context of this verse describes how His hand is able to loose chains and set captives free.  Because He covers us with the shadow of His hand, there is no reason to be fearful of man (verse 12).  What can man do?  God’s power and presence gives comfort rather than fear to those who belong to Him.

The shadow of His hand reassures me of His love and protection.  His shadow reminds me that I belong to Him.  I am His and He is mine!  His shadow is evidence that He is at work in my life.  He has set me free!  His care and blessing are shadows of His loving presence!

Thank you, Lord, for helping me sense even the shadow of Your hand!


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Revenge

gununnamedScripture for Today: Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

This very bizarre gun is prominently displayed on the wall of my friend’s home hair salon.  With this gun, it is not just the prey that is hunted, but the hunter himself.  Her theme is the jungle, but maybe it is more than decoration.  Maybe it is a warning not to criticize her work!  In that unlikely scenario, everyone gets hurt!

Our verse for today is a clear command not to take revenge.  Like the self-directional gun, taking revenge can backfire.  Instead of finding peace and closure with the guilty one called to account, our brand of revenge can hold an element of bitterness.  Somehow, the hurt continues and the revenge seems to fall short.  That is because  taking revenge is taking a role that does not belong to us.

The revenge of the Lord is always timely and completely just.  When we leave room for Him to work, we can continue our lives without that wrong done to us consuming our hearts and minds.  We can feel lighthearted and free of the sense of injustice knowing that He will deal with that person.  There is peace in leaving that wrong in His hands.  He will repay that individual in a way we never could.  He promises.

God would not be a holy God if He did not act on His perfect sense of justice.  He will one day right every wrong, even the ones done in secret.  Nothing is hidden.  He will bring it all to light and right will prevail!

What comfort and peace to know that I can count on His justice!


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Hurricane

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

I am so glad I do not live in hurricane country.  We were in Florida one summer as a hurricane came through and I will never forget it!  We got up in the middle of the night and jumped in our car, hoping to race out of town ahead of it.  We did not feel the full force of those winds as we managed to get out, but even the beginning of it was impressive.  Those winds howled so that we could hardly stand!

There is one place in the midst of a hurricane where there is very little wind or rain, and that is at its very center.  The eye of the hurricane is where the storm’s minimum barometric center is found.  There, in a space typically 20-40 miles wide, there is utter calm in the middle of chaos.

Our verse for today describes a peace that is perfect.  The winds still howl and rage.  The rains continue to pelt the ground, but the one in that “eye of the storm” will not be affected.  That is the case for anyone who keeps their minds steadfast on the power and goodness of the Lord.  Absolute trust in God’s control will lead to absolute peace.

Keeping my mind steadfast on the Lord Jesus is not so easy.  Like Peter, I am distracted by the elements around me and start to sink (Matt. 14:31).  Jesus is so gracious to stretch out His hand and catch me.  His presence is my “eye of the storm” where I can have peace and calm despite my circumstances.

Thank you Lord, for the perfect peace I find in You.


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A Dog and His Bone

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Don’t fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.”

Though this dog looks harmless enough, I would not want to get between him and his bone!  He must be in “doggy heaven” with such a treasure.  How many hours of fun he will have biting, tearing and gnawing at it.  However, there is lots of controversy about giving dogs bones.  There is discussion about raw versus cooked and which kinds are safe from splintering and causing problems.  But worrying a bone is something that seems a normal natural activity for a dog.

The phrase, “worrying a bone” reminded me of our verse for today.  We are told that we are not to worry, fret or be anxious about anything.  Instead, we are to turn those worries into prayers, thanking God in advance for how He will answer.  But like the dog with his bone, worrying just seems to come naturally.  It is so natural to worry that we need supernatural help to stop!

Worrying changes nothing, but praying can.  Prayer disposes my heart to trust Christ.  He already knows what worries are gnawing at me.  But He asks me to name those worries in the form of petitions.  What freedom can be mine when I give it all to Him!  He replaces that worry with His peace that guards my heart and mind.  Instead of being consumed with worry, I can get some distance from that problem.  I am no longer gnawing and picking at it.  My mind and heart are at rest, knowing I can trust His hand to work.

Lord, keep me from my natural inclination to worry.  Help me turn every anxious thought into heartfelt prayer.