Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Suffering and Trials


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Plymouth Rock

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Scripture for Today: Psalm 61:2 “From the ends of the earth will I cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed and fainting, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

My daughter warned me that I would be “underwhelmed” when viewing Plymouth Rock on our visit there in Massachusetts.  And she was right.  Legend has made this purported site of the Pilgrim’s landing into something large and looming.  In reality, this rock is quite small and unimpressive, being only one third to one half of its original size.

Today’s verse talks about another Rock that will not disappoint.  It is not made smaller by erosion and the passage of time.  This image of a rock speaks to our fatigue and weakness.  The prayer of the Psalmist is that he would be led to the Rock.  That tells me that the Rock is not necessarily in my line of vision during those times when I am overwhelmed.  When my heart is fainting within me, I am not seeing too clearly.  The Rock is even higher than I am, and yet I need to be led to it.

My first inclination when overwhelmed is not always to cry out to the Lord.  But what a wonderful promise is written here that when I do, He comes to my aid.  He leads me to a place of strength and refreshment for my spirit.  This Rock is higher, bigger and better than any of my feeble attempts to tough it out on my own.  His strength is constant and constantly available.  He is not only the Rock but He is my Rock. (Psalm 18:46)  With His strength I can be strong, firm and steadfast! (I Peter 5:10)

Lord, please be my Rock today.


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The Swiss Alps

img_20160928_165357Scripture for Today: Isaiah 49:13 “Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.”

Our recent week of conference in the Swiss Alps already seems like a lifetime ago.  I never tire of gazing on those majestic mountains, seen here from the gondola window.  Their height, their stability and their looming presence over the village is a constant reminder of just how small I am!  Their timeless watch over the inhabitants below bring to mind the awesome power in the hand of their Creator.

There is reason for the heavens to shout, for the earth to rejoice and for the mountains to burst into song.  Today’s verse gives the reason; the comfort and the compassion the Lord gives to His hurting people.  He is not unmoved by our pain.  He does not ignore our cries.  He hears us in the night when we smother our tears.  He sees when the heart is hurting and we want to give up.  He offers His comfort and compassion which is unlike any other.

He is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (II Cor. 1:3).  He uses His Word to reassure my heart.  He uses the care and concern of friends and family.  He uses the lyrics of a long-forgotten song in the most unlikely moment to bring me a measure of peace.  His compassion never fails me.  His comfort and compassion are renewed every morning when I wake up to a new day (Lamentations 3:22-23).

What a wonderful reason for those mountains to burst into song!  May today be a day when I can shout, rejoice and sing because He cares for me!


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The Hope Chest

Scripture for Today:Romans 5:5 “And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

I never owned a hope chest, although I hoped!  It was a tradition that was already obsolete by the 1950’s.  The practice of filling a hope chest with items useful in setting up house came from Europe around the 18th century.  A young girl’s “trousseau” consisted of handmade bed linens, table linens and embroidered items.  I often wondered what happened to that hope chest and its contents when it was clear that marriage had passed one by.  Perhaps giving it away signaled the end of hope.

Today speaks of a hope that never puts us to shame.  Unlike unfulfilled hope in a human love, our hope is placed in a love that has already been poured into the heart of a believer.  The Holy Spirit is our seal of ownership, guaranteeing what is to come! (II Cor. 1:22).  Hope in this sense is a sure thing with no possibility of disappointment or shame.  This hope grows stronger and stronger as we see the Lord come through for us when experiencing suffering (verse 3).  Hope grows by persevering through that impossible situation.  Our hope is obvious to everyone through the strength of character that comes from hanging in there (verse 4).

Hope that is ill-placed is wishful thinking that makes the heart sick when unfulfilled (Prov. 13:12).  My hope is sure being based on God’s faithful promises.  My longing for love is absolutely fulfilled in my relationship with my Creator.  He never disappoints and I am never put to shame.  He always comes through and someday I will see the glory of God up close and personal!

My hope will forever be in You, Lord.

 


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The Woodworking Plane

Scripture for Today: Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

Wood shop in high school was for the boys.  Perhaps it was just as well that I stayed away from those power tools and sharp instruments!  How the wood got to be so smooth, flat and level remained a mystery, only because I was too disinterested to find out.  But when my Dad took up woodworking as a hobby, he taught me to appreciate those smooth flawless surfaces and the effort it took to achieve.  The planer shaves off those high places in the wood, making the surface level.

Today’s verse reveals that God is continually working in us.  His goal is to mold our desires and actions to mirror His.  He has a purpose for this work and we can trust that it is a good purpose because He is good.  He is working to make us smooth and level by taking out the high places in us.  He is opposed to the proud (James 4:6) and will work to flatten those thoughts of superiority and self sufficiency.  The result is something beautiful that He can use!

Having my pride worked on hurts!  That blade is shaving off what does not belong.  It is humbling to be brought down to the right size.  He may use the reprimand of others.  He may use a miserable failure and allow me to fall flat on my face!  He often uses His Word to convict and point out areas that need flattening.  Whatever the case, it is not a comfortable experience.  But when it is all over, He gives favor to the one He has humbled.

Oh how I need Your favor today!  Lord, keep me smooth and humble.

 


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Tattered Banner

P1080490Scripture for Today: II Timothy 3:11b-12 “Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them (persecutions).  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

My husband and I remarked on this tattered banner flying on the top of a castle we visited.  Of course, it is not original to it but just part of the decoration.  The banner is not old but because it is a windy region, it did not take long for this banner to have an old beat-up appearance.

When seeing this banner, I could not help thinking of our well-known verse for today.  All those who want to live a godly life will stand up tall and straight.  And like the banner, our stand for the Lord is vulnerable to the winds of persecution.  Those winds push and pull at us.  Our resistance to the winds will eventually wear on us.

If one hides their banner, the wind will have no opportunity to buffet it.  No one bothers to persecute those who are not taking a stand.  Becoming tattered or persecuted does not seem a great motivation to live a godly life!  But it is the natural consequence of living out our faith among those who are lovers of self rather than lovers of God (verses 1-5).

Paul encourages Timothy to take a stand and continue on in the faith.  He reminds Timothy of God’s power to deliver, something he had repeatedly experienced.  My motivation to lead a godly life is that I am a lover of God more than a lover of self.  It is love and gratitude that keeps me faithful to Him, regardless of the opposition.  There is no shame in my banner being tattered.

Lord, give me the courage to stay faithful to You.

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.