Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Suffering and Trials


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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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Leaky Roof

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 27:15-16 “A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.”

This happened!  After a month-long absence I woke up to the sound of raining in my closet!  It is not that it was such a strong storm but our flat roof would not drain properly.  I called on God first.  Wailed, if truth be told.  Then I called my husband, a roofer and our insurance company.  Thankfully, the drips did not reach my clothes.  But it was maddening to hear the slow and constant dripping well after the rain had finished.

Today’s verse describes a quarrelsome wife like that constant drip.  Each complaint from her lips and each nagging session can be as annoying as those continual drops of water.  Because the verse is speaking of a wife, one can assume the description comes from the husband.  In contrast to the Proverbs 31 wife who speaks with wisdom (Prov. 31:26), this wife provokes argument with what comes out of her mouth.  She speaks her mind without any self-restraint.  Any attempt at correcting her is as futile as restraining wind or grasping slippery oil.

Being quarrelsome can seem quite reasonable and even expected after a hard day.  When taking care of the needs of others means lost sleep or when the toilet backs up, a bit of nasty temper seems just the thing to blow off steam.  When pressure builds, it is often on those closest to me that I unload.  The danger for me is that being contentious can too easily become a habit.  I would much rather be characterized by a quiet gentle spirit, making me consistently approachable!

Lord, keep me sweet and peaceable despite my circumstances.

 


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Glass Harmonica

Scripture for Today:Romans 5:3-4 “Not only so but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope.” 

Who hasn’t rubbed their fingers around the rim of a crystal wine glass to produce that ringing sound?  That is the principle behind this glass harmonica, made of a series of glass bowls or goblets in varying sizes spinning  on a single shaft.  The haunting ethereal sound of the notes are produced by moistened fingers and the friction they create.  The pressure of the fingers can change the volume and duration of a note.  The “incomparably sweet” sound of the glass harmonica is really due to friction and pressure.

Paul makes an incredible statement in today’s verse.  He can glory or revel in his sufferings because he understands what it will develop in him!  Perseverance, character and hope are those harmonious notes his sufferings will produce.  But these characteristics do not show themselves except through the friction and pressure of suffering.  He knows and is confident of this positive outcome, affirming that this hope is sure.  This hope will not ever put him to shame because of the love that God has poured out into his heart (verse 5).

How amazing it is that in the middle of suffering Paul can keenly feel God’s love for him!  When things go wrong and I am hurting, I am tempted to think that God may not love me quite so much.  If He really loved me would He make me go through this?  Couldn’t I just have that perseverance, character and hope without all that suffering?  I have to trust that He knows what He is doing.  His love never changes and He is making me more like Him!

Lord, help me never to doubt your love for me.


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Québec License Plate

Scripture for Today: Lamentations 3:21-23  “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

This license plate says, “I remember.”  But what is it that we are not supposed to forget?  This saying was coined by Eugène-Etienne Taché having carved it on to the stone entrance to the parliament building in 1883.  Some believe he wanted to keep alive the memory of the heroes in Québec’s history.  Others prefer to think of it as a jab at the British.

Today’s verse tells us to remember.  We are told to call to mind God’s GREAT love, His compassions and His faithfulness.  In doing so we can live with hope.  Although our sins condemn us, we are not consumed in righteous anger.  He has compassion on us and has provided a solution in the sacrifice of His Son.  He continues to show a compassion that never fails and is renewed every morning.  His faithfulness is as big as His love.  This is what we need to remember, especially in the dark times.  And with remembrance comes hope!

It is because of the hard times that I can say with confidence that God is loving, compassionate and faithful.  Somehow, the pressure of hard times improves my memory.  I wish it did not take trials to remember, but it does.  When I look back on the difficulties He has brought me through, I am always reminded of His love and faithfulness to me.  Today I want to call these truths to mind without the stimulus of a trial.

Lord, help me to focus on Your great love, Your compassions and Your faithfulness!


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Warming Up

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 9:26 “Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.”

Being that I am not so athletic, the warm-up before exercise usually does it for me!  But in the event that I keep going, it does help to have those muscles warmed up and ready for action.  Without those gentle stretches, I am more likely to pull something and be done for the day (or the week).

Today’s verse likens our Christian daily growth to running or boxing with purpose.  To win the prize in an athletic competition, strict training and self discipline are usually required.  Paul even says that he makes his body a slave so as to control it.  None of this work is for his own glory, but for the sake of sharing the Gospel and not disqualifying himself.

The Lord knows where I need work on my faith and on my obedience.  In His loving plan to make me more like Him, He has made the race more like an obstacle course.  Those difficulties I will face tomorrow are there to strengthen my faith and trust in Him.  But it would be foolish of me not to warm up.  When I spend time in His Word and in prayer, my spiritual muscles are stretched and ready for action!

I cannot know what tomorrow may bring.  But I can at least be as prepared as I can be.  In the middle of a crisis is not the time to be looking for that verse.  I want to shore up His Word in my heart and mind today.  I want my daily conversations with Him to be so close and encouraging that I can face the unexpected with confidence.

Lord, keep me warmed up.