Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Suffering and Trials


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What a Drip!

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.”

Last night at my desk, I kept hearing a constant drip. I looked up. Nothing. It took me a moment to realize that rain was leaking into the fireplace. After verifying on hands and knees with a strong flashlight, I saw that I was right. I didn’t want to be right! After extensive work on our roof we were confident that this recent rainstorm would pose no problem! There is probably nothing more maddening than continual repair addressing the same issue!

Today’s verse describes a quarrelsome wife like a constant drip. Each complaint from her lips and each nagging session can be as annoying as those continual drips of water. Because the verse is speaking of a wife, the description may very well come 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 or filters. Any attempt at correcting her is as futile as restraining wind. Those attempts to calm her down are like trying to grasp slippery oil.

It can seem quite reasonable and even expected to be quarrelsome after a hard day. When I am surprised by very negative circumstances beyond my control, a bit of nasty temper seems just the thing to blow off steam. But when pressure builds, it is often on those closest to me that I get ugly. 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 than being a big drip!

Lord, keep me sweet and peaceable despite my circumstances.


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Hurricane-Force Winds

Scripture for Today: Job 8:2-3 “How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind. Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?”

The images of hurricane damage are impressive! Ian, the most recent, wreaked havoc in Florida with maximum wind gusts over land reaching as high as 140 mph! To put that number in perspective, wind gusts are considered severe beginning at 58 mph. So many interviewed described that wind like the noise of an approaching train. Roofs were sheered off and boats lifted in the air. Trees were flattened and power lines were downed in an instant.

Today’s verse describes words spoken like a blustering or mighty wind. And just as hurricane-force winds can do so much damage, so our words can be damaging to others. Job is struggling with what was happening to him. Despite the suggestions of his three friends, Job was not aware of any obvious sin for which God was punishing him. Understandably, it did not seem fair. Job’s questions came from the anguish of his spirit and the bitterness of his soul (7:11). But Job’s words could be damaging if they questioned the justice of God.

So many times I do not have a clue as to what God is doing or why. In my life or in the lives of others it can seem that God is not dealing fairly. If I were to widely and publicly put into question God’s justice and fairness, my words could wreak havoc to the faith of someone else. If I express to others that He is unjust, then my words can cause untold damage around me. My response needs to be absolute trust in His righteousness, justice and control, whether I understand or not.

I may wonder what You are doing, Lord. But may I always cling to the truth of Your justice!


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“Stay Grounded”

Scripture for Today: Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

There is a worldwide movement today called, “Stay Grounded.” The idea is to swear off flying, making that commitment for a year at a time. Normally, 2% of all carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to this form of travel. Some intend to remain flight free forever in an attempt to be eco-conscious. For these folks, slow travel is the way to go, preferring boat or train for long distances. For me personally, it would be quite a sacrifice to be grounded as my perspective often changes while up in those clouds!

Today’s verse encourages the believer to change perspective from the earthly to the eternal. Our thinking and our feelings are to be changed by an eternal perspective. What we see on earth does not match up with spiritual realities. What we see, touch and feel around us is not eternal. These things are real but they will not last. When we set our minds and hearts on the realities of Heaven, it changes how we view that difficulty. It is reduced it to only “light and momentary trouble.” (II Cor. 4:17) 

I need to see the hard things in my life as smaller than they appear. I do not want my thoughts and feelings to be grounded and restricted to the temporal. My perspective needs to change to what is eternal and lasting in order to see past the problems I face today. What is above is far more worthy of my heart and mind! He is there.

Change my perspective, Lord. Help me see You today instead of my problems.


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Sun Ripened Tomatoes

Scripture for Today: James 1:4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

There is nothing worse than biting into that beautiful red tomato and tasting nothing! A tomato picked too soon will eventually please the eye but not the taste buds. I understand why a tomato is picked too soon. When green they are hardier for transport. But picked prematurely changes their taste to be less than flavorful. A sun ripened tomato picked at just the right moment is so sweet and juicy I can understand how it is categorized as a fruit!

Today’s verse tells us what it takes to be mature in our faith. It is the tests and trials that grow our faith, producing that staying power so important to our maturity. It is often a long process that cannot be rushed. Trying to avoid trouble would only keep us green and hard longer. It is through the hard times that we learn new dependance on the Lord. It is because of responding in faith to those tests that we burst with flavor. The times of crisis work in the believer a maturity and completeness not gained any other way.

I want to be mature. I want to be complete, lacking nothing in my faith. But I sure do not like the method of getting there. Yet I know by experience that it is in the hard times, when I come to the end of my own resources and ingenuity, that I learn trust. I see God come through in the most unexpected ways and my faith is strengthened. That dependance on Him comes from staying put, connected to the vine that is Him. That finished work in me makes me “Son-ripened!

Thank you Lord, for strengthening my faith.


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Don’t Wink at Me!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 35:19 “Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.”

I am not too sure what this owl is winking about but he looks a bit devious! When we wink it can imply conspiracy or some secret intent. Or winking can be positive when it shows sympathy or encouragement. Sometimes the wink says, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing.” But then again, winking all day could be from the grapefruit juice at breakfast that was squirted in the eye !

In today’s verse the wink is malicious. David is being slandered and falsely accused by his enemies. He cries to the Lord to come to his defense and vindicate him. David as king is a constant target for his enemies and regardless of how fair and righteous he is, those enemies will continue to accuse him without cause. He pleads with the Lord to contend for him so that in the end the Lord Himself will be exalted.

The world hated Jesus so it only follows that the world would also hate those who follow Him (John 15:18). So I should not be surprised at slander and false accusation. But even more serious are the accusations of the Enemy who lies and brings charges against God’s own. My struggle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). It is Satan who is behind the slander. He tries to destroy my testimony and my service. He will even endeavor to convince me that I am unloved and worth nothing. Well, Satan can wink all he wants but the Lord reassures me of His love and my worth!

Thank you Lord, that in You I have victory over every enemy!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2016)