Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Submission


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Bowing to a Killer Whale

Scripture for Today: Deuteronomy 33:3 “Surely it is You who love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand. At Your feet they all bow down, and from You receive instruction.”

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Female_bowing_to_whale.jpg

How odd to see this woman bowing with respect to a killer whale. My body language when encountering a killer whale was not so much respect as fear! Years ago I was volunteered to be kissed by one of these amazing creatures at a water park! I wondered if the audience saw my shaking as I waited for this majestic creature to rise up out of the water to smack me on the cheek!

Today’s verse describes a bow to One who is so much more worthy than any creation of His. This bow is done in worship and does not stop at the waist. Those showing reverence to the God of the universe bow all the way down to His feet in abject humility. Our posture before His majesty is one that is self-abasing and glorifying to Him. He is worthy of this worship for many reasons but in this verse He is bowed to for His love and instruction. He loves and holds His own in His mighty and powerful hand!

One day I will physically bow to Him in His presence. One day everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will do the same (Phil. 2:10).  For some it will be under compulsion. But for those who have placed their trust in Jesus, it will be a continuation of our worship here on earth. The challenge for me here and now is whether I can bow my will to His in humble submission. He is my Lord and my King.

Thank you Lord, for giving me every reason to bow my will to Yours!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2018)


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Cow Encounter

Scripture for Today: Psalm 50:9-10 “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”

This sweet little guy seemed as enthusiastic as I was for a photo op! His friends, not so much. I didn’t want to think about where they might be headed that day. Each one was carefully tagged with a number and it was clear that their destiny was not to be anyone’s pampered pet. In any agricultural society, being too attached to the farm animals would not be such a great idea given their purpose. Where I see something sweet and furry (albeit stinky) their owner sees dollars and cents!

Today’s verse teaches that God does not need anything we can give Him. He already owns every animal and every created thing. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and this includes the wealth of every land. Although sacrificing animals was put in place by God to foreshadow the future sacrifice of Jesus, for many, this act of worship had become ritualistic and insincere. He sees our motivation and is looking for a truly thankful heart (verse 14).

I am so thankful that Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross was perfect and complete, with no more animal sacrifices needed (Rom. 3:25). But out of a heart of gratitude for what Jesus has done for me, I do want to give back to Him! Doing good and sharing with others is a sacrifice (Heb. 13:16). When I praise God even in the face of difficult circumstances, that is a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15). My whole life can be a sacrifice to Him when lived following His will and not my own (Rom. 12:1-2).

Lord, may today be a day when I give back to You.


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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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Kneeling Cows!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 45:23 “By myself I have sworn , my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked; Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.”

It seems this cow has an audience to his ungainly rise! Unlike other farm animals, cattle will get up and lie down by kneeling on their front legs. Their clumsy movements can look comical but it is this change of position which possibly gave rise to an old folklore. It says that when the bells sound at midnight on Christmas Eve, all the cattle bow in homage to the baby Jesus.

In today’s verse, God swears. He swears by Himself as there is no one higher than Him. Of course, everything God says is true and trustworthy. But here, added weight is given to His words. What He says cannot be disputed. There is no human knee every created that will NOT bow to God. There is no human tongue that will NOT swear, confess or agree with God as to who He is! This acknowledgement takes place when we give an account of ourselves to God. (Rom. 14:11-12) What a sobering thought for the ones who have mocked and denied Him their whole lives!

Because I have acknowledged Jesus here on earth, bowing before Him will be a joyful worshipful experience. I am not worthy in the least. But because of receiving His righteousness through faith (Rom. 4:5) I am “in Christ” and not condemned. (Rom. 8:1) However, there is bowing here on earth as well. Bending the knee is bending my will to conform to His. This is my daily struggle as a subject of the King. I want to want what He wants, but my own silly selfish desires are oh so strong!

Lord, help me submit to what You want today.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2021)


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The Last Word

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 16:1 “To humans belong the plans of the heart but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.”

The Siamese cat is known for his distinctive coloring. I grew up with Chin-Chin, a seal point. She was very dark and her blue eyes were startling. The Siamese are one of the oldest breeds, thought to originate in Thailand in the 14th century. Our Chin-Chin lived to about eighteen years old. But what I remember most about her was how talkative she was! A Siamese is known to be vocal, commenting on everything throughout their day. Chin-Chin took it one step further. She had to have the last word!

Today’s verse, a proverb, makes the observation that man naturally makes plans in his heart. But the Lord has the last word on those plans. From Him comes what is proper to do and to say. With His word or decision, He establishes plans. (verse 3) It is the Lord who establishes man’s steps. (verse 9) Whatever the plans of our hearts, James tells us to do our planning with the recognition that the Lord has the last word on whether today or tomorrow, “we do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

I need to lay every plan or project before the Lord. My motives can be dubious and I can be unaware of them. (Jer, 17:9-10) But He can search my heart and examine my mind, pointing out wrong motives. I may be convinced that my plan is good. And it might very well be. But His plan is always better. He sees what I cannot. And when I humbly lay my plans before the Lord, I can at the same time ask for His will, His way and His blessing.

I am grateful, Lord, that You have the last word and that Your word is good!