Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Suffering and Trials


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Murphy’s Law

Scripture for Today: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

I am not sure who Murphy is but I would like to have a word with him!  The old adage says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”  There are many versions of how this saying came to be.  But in any case, the identity of Murphy, if ever real, has been lost.  His law was definitely at work on me as my computer crashed the same day as I dropped and broke my cell phone.  It was not a good day.  I hesitated to get into my car!

Today’s verse describes the Christ-like qualities that the Holy Spirit produces in a believer.  There will never be a law against these beautiful characteristics in any culture or in any century.  The previous verses describe behaviors for which all kinds of laws are needed.  But laws will never be needed to control or stifle these admirable qualities.  Even with Murphy’s Law, a Spirit-controlled person will respond to that horrible awful day in a different manner.

I guess I was not so Spirit-controlled as all those negatives happening at once caused me to lose it!  Where did the patience go?  What happened to forbearance and self-control?  Responding with the flesh is so much easier.  But some days I can laugh it off or at least take things in stride.  The toast landing wrong side down is the perfect litmus test of where my heart is with the Lord.  Regardless of what problems arise, I cannot respond like Him without His help.  It is only by His Spirit that I can keep it together!

Lord, keep me filled and controlled by Your Spirit today.


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Climbing the Switchbacks

Scripture for Today: II Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

I loved hiking in the French Vosges mountains.  Most of the trails we chose were gentle and easy.  But for those rare occasions when we chose a more difficult trail, switchbacks, whether by foot or by car, are my least favorite option.  Certainly it is better to climb switchbacks than trying to go straight up.  But the progress is slower.  It can be very demotivating to cover what looks to be the same ground with the same view as I double back over and over.

Today’s verse is an encouragement to continue on doing good.  Even if our path requires pain and suffering, we are to remain committed to our faithful loving Creator.  Suffering according to God’s will is suffering the Lord allows for a particular purpose.  It makes the climb slower and more difficult but the view from the top can be magnificent!

My lessons in suffering can feel like switchbacks, going over and over ground I thought I already covered!  My progression almost feels like one step forward and two steps back.  But in fact, God is using those hard times to slowly transform me.  He is faithful to use that pain for good.  I am confident that I am progressing to higher ground where my view of Him becomes clearer and more unobstructed.  He has promised to continue His good work until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).  In His grace, He uses every difficulty to bring me into a tighter closer relationship with Him.  Whatever suffering He allows, He does not want me to sit down and give up.  In persevering, I will receive what He has promised (Heb. 10:36).

Lord, keep me climbing!


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Bowed Down

bowed cactusindexScripture for Today: Psalm 145:13b-14 “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

I was intrigued to see this odd plant on my walk at the harbor.  It is an agave succulent native to Mexico.  The nectar or “honey water” from this plant has long been used as a sweetener.  Its vertical flower stalk can grow up to ten feet!  Because it arches back toward the ground it is sometimes called, Fox Tail, Lion’s Tail or Swan’s Neck.  To me it looks just a bit sad and depressed .  But in fact it is producing so many small blooms that the weight of them bows it down.

Today’s verse is an encouraging promise.  The Lord is trustworthy because He is faithful to all His promises.  He promises to uphold all who fall and lift up those who are bowed down.  He sees when life becomes a heavy burden and we fall and stumble under its weight.  He understands when the struggles we face bow us down so we see only the ground.  But He promises to lift us up!

What is so incredible is that like this plant, I can still be producing something beautiful even when I am bowed down!  When I successfully move out of that depression or funk, I can share with someone else who is struggling (II Cor. 1:4).  My life can speak to others of the faithfulness of the Lord.  He does lift me up when I am down.  But even the experience of being down can be turned around by Him to be something beautiful and useful to Him!  How gracious He is!

Thank you Lord, that You are faithful to lift me up!

 


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Stalagmites

stalagmites12791091_10153848573085115_8988916661256579868_nScripture for Today: James 5:11 “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

What an incredible sight to see these stalactites and stalagmites so far underground in the north of France!  Our tour guide had to constantly prod us to keep moving.  But between the picture taking and the spontaneous singing of our chorale group, we made slow progress!  These magnificent cone-like structures are formed by slowly dripping water that deposit calcite.  They only grow one fourth to one half inch every century!

Today’s verse talks about how important it is to persevere in order to appreciate the compassion and mercy of the Lord.  The one who perseveres is blessed or happy.  Certainly Job did not feel especially blessed when going through all the heartache of loss and calamity.  In fact, he argued with his well-meaning friends and questioned God about what was happening.  But Job did persevere in staying true to his Lord.  Even though he was ignorant of the reasons for his trials, he did not give in to the pressure from his wife to curse God and die.  And in the end Job was blessed!

God finally brought about a positive outcome though it took years and years.  We may also be asked to wait for that “finally” or that positive outcome that the Lord in His mercy and compassion brings about.  Just as those stalagmites take years to form, so God’s plan can take a lifetime to accomplish.  I may never understand it all but I can persevere and be true to Him because He is loving and faithful, no matter what!

Regardless of what this day brings, keep me faithful to You.


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First Responders

Scripture for Today: I Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

I am in awe of those first responders rushing into a scene of horror and chaos.  They are pumped with adrenaline and provide that critical care that saves lives.  But those emergency-service-employees are trained to keep emotions in check and respond with cool professionalism.  Even so, the sadness and desperation they see can easily overwhelm even the most seasoned of them.  However, with their training and experience, surprise is probably not part of their first response.

In today’s verse, Peter anticipates that the believers will be surprised at the fiery trials they will face.  He points out that there is something behind the intense crisis they encounter.  The Lord uses every difficulty to test our faith and make us strong.  However, this “fiery ordeal” is not something caused by our own wrong choices.  It is an ordeal that comes from living as a believer in a non believing world.  Rather than reacting with surprise, we are to respond with joy (verse 13) being confident that blessing and future glory are ours (verse 14).

Recently, when faced with a crisis my first response was not only surprise but some doubts as to whether God really knew what He was doing!  Although I eventually came around to a place of trust, it was not my first response!  After so many years as a believer, my knee jerk reaction surprised and humbled me.  What a barometer my response was to the state of my spiritual health!

Lord, grow my faith to respond to any trial with joy.  Keep me confident that You do know what You are doing!