Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


by 1 Comment

Overcoming Fear

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.”

It may seem crazy but paragliding is something I have always wanted to do!  When living at the base of the Alps we would often see float by these colorful sails.  Now, living at the base of the Vosges mountains we see them regularly.  It looks so amazing to be up there with quiet amazing views.

I am too fearful and inexperienced to try it on my own.  My plan is to strap myself to the instructor and have him jump, steer and land for me.  Hopefully, I will finish in one piece.  The plan is to do this for my sixtieth birthday in July.

Our verse for today is an encouragement to not fear.  I am to put my trust in God.  His presence keeps me from being dismayed at dizzying heights.  He strengthens.  He helps.  And most importantly for this adventure, He upholds me with His righteous right hand!

Today’s verse is really a call to faith.  The more I put my faith in Him, the less problem I will have with fear.  In Matthew 8:26 Jesus challenges His disciples with the question, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”  Their boat being pummeled by a storm seemed reason enough.  Jesus was there so why be fearful?  But He was asleep and the disciples questioned whether He really cared.

I do the same thing when faced with scary circumstances.  I know He is there.  But is He paying attention?  Does He really care about what I am going through?  Praise God the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”


by Leave a comment

Wings

 

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:1  “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in You I take refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster is passed.”

Hens are known for being especially protective of their baby chicks.  In fact, in entering a chicken coop, it is best to wear protective clothing to avoid being pecked by a mother hen when approaching their young!  At the first sign of danger, the mother hen will gather her chicks under her wings.  There the chicks find refuge and safety.

The verse for today makes reference to the time when David was fleeing the murderous intentions of King Saul.  David was on the run for his life and found refuge in a cave.  God protected him there and David praises Him with this psalm.  He extols Him for sending His love and faithfulness in the form of deliverance.

I do not have a murderous king chasing me down.  Living in first world countries with freedom of religion, I do not face these same dangers.  However, I do have enemies.  Ephesians 6:12 describes my enemies as being the dark forces of this world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  There is a time for standing firm with the full armor of God.  There is also a time for renewal and retreat under His protective wings.

Many times I am unaware of the activity of my enemies.  As they are unseen it is easy to think that I am doing quite well on my own.  But disaster is always close by.  How much better it is to be in that place of refuge; the shadow of His wings!  Thank you, Lord, that Your love and faithfulness will protect me today.


by 1 Comment

Beautiful Hands

Scripture for Today:  John 10:28-29  “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from My Father’s hand.”

Young hands are beautiful hands.  As we get older, spots and raised veins appear.  Arthritis can swell the knuckles and hands do not look as beautiful as they once did.  Hands have a way of giving away our age.  Too bad gloves are not in style!

The Scriptures tell us that God is Spirit (John 4:24).  Even so, the Bible is full of references to God’s eyes or arms or hands to help us understand Him.  And I love to think of His hands and the fact that as His child, I am held there, safe and secure.

Our verses for today describe His hands as being more powerful than any others.  There can be no sudden sneaky move on the part of the enemy that can snatch me out of His hand.  I, myself, can not cause Him to let go.  My faith in Him put me there.  His power and love keep me there.

His are the hands that formed the universe.  The hand that holds me is the same hand that stilled the waters and calmed the seas.  Those hands touch and heal.  And His hands are scarred with the proof of His love.  They are hands that I can trust.  He will not let me go.

My life is in His hands, but more than that my eternity is in His hands!  If life is suddenly cut short, that does not change the pressure of His hand as He walks me into His very presence.  His hands are beautiful.


by Leave a comment

Thoughts

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 26:3  “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You…”

When our daughter was little we surprised her with the gift of a hamster.  He was a cutie but his nocturnal habits were annoying.  He would sleep all day and get on his wheel at night, making a racket!

There are times when I feel like that hamster.  No, I do not sleep all day.  But for whatever reason, my thoughts start running around in my head the minute I lay it on my pillow.  Maybe I had too much sugar or caffeine in my day.  Maybe my hormones are going nuts.  I can be incredibly tired but the running of my thoughts through my head keeps me awake.

I would like to say that my sleep-defying thoughts are deep and profound.  It would be understandable if worrying thoughts were the culprit.  But more often than not, my thoughts are just mundane, silly and repetitive.  Something in my brain just does not turn off.

Rather than adding frustration to this scenario, I can direct my thoughts to something worthwhile.  If something is to be continually running through my mind, I rather it would be Scripture.  That is when the words of our verse can be a comfort.

I can lay down to sleep with thoughts of Him.  He knows when I am having trouble sleeping.  He knows my schedule for the next day.  I can trust Him even in the middle of sleep deprivation.  He will get me through the next day, even if I am up all night!

Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful intimate relationship.  When I can not sleep, may I relax and rest in thoughts of You.


by 1 Comment

Weary

IMG_20130319_102100Scripture for Today:  Matt. 11:28-30  “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I am not sure our Tiger could be any more relaxed!  If he were, he would fall off.  Ah, the life of a cat!  I can not imagine why he needs twenty hours of sleep a day!  From what is he resting?  Maybe he is weary from his dreams.

Our verse for today promises rest for those that are weary and feel burdened.  I can often feel that way with a schedule that is too full.  I can feel burdened with impossible demands that I put on myself.  I know there is weariness in me when I find myself continually sighing.  I love that my Jesus does not want me to feel that way!

Even so, my first inclination is to fix my own problems rather than coming to Him.  But in taking matters into my own hands, I am not really at rest where it counts, in my soul.  Finding rest in Him is so much more than just changing the “to-do list” or getting more sleep.  I look at “soul rest” as quiet unruffled confidence in His control.  There is peace in handing everything over to Him.  There is rest.

These verses do not say that I necessarily stop working.  But in taking on His yoke, I have Someone who shares the weight of it.  The burden of work is no longer heavy but light.  In the midst of work and activity, my soul can be at rest.

Lord, I need Your rest today.