Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Suffering and Trials


by 4 Comments

Dark Night

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 42:8  “The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.”

We just experienced the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere on December 21st.  The winter solstice makes for a very long and dark night.  However, this year, it was the night before that could claim that distinction!  Due to a lunar eclipse, the night of the 20th is said to have been the darkest night in the last 500 years!

For many people, the holidays are represented by some very dark nights.  Expectations not met, hopes dashed and keen disappointments mark holiday nights.  Sweet “Hallmark” moments do not match up with one’s reality.  For some, the darkest nights occur when everyone else seems to be celebrating.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has said when it is dark enough, men see the stars.  But our verse for today is no pithy saying.  It is truth.  His loving kindness is ours in the daytime.  His song is ours in the night, even in the darkest night.  Circumstances can disappoint.  People can disappoint.  But HE does not.  Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed (Romans 10:11).  What an incredible truth!  During the darkest night, I can sing!  He gives me hope.

I love that our verse for today says that He “commands” His loving kindness.  It reminds me that He is in control.  He commands and directs.  He arranges and controls.  So much of my life is not my call, but His.  I am thankful that His control is loving and kind.  His direction is trustworthy.

No matter how dark the night, thank you Lord, that my heart can sing because You give me hope.


by 2 Comments

Chestnuts

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 45:3  “I will give you hidden treasure, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

These chestnuts are all over the ground of the forest up above our house.  They are brown and furry by the time they drop and look like something out of a Star Trek TV episode (the mythical “tribble”).  When they are still green and fresh, the chestnut is difficult to handle with its spiny bur.  But getting at that delicious treasure is worth all the effort!  There can be up to seven chestnuts in one bur.

The chestnut here in France is most often roasted but is also candied, boiled, steamed and grilled.   For Christmas and New Year’s the “marron glacé” is traditional fare, a chestnut that has been glazed in sugar syrup.  For some, the chestnut is an acquired taste, but I enjoy them!

Our verse for today talks about treasures that are hidden.  The riches that the Lord reveals are not so obvious.  Like the chestnut, they are sometimes stored in places difficult to see.  The outside of that hidden treasure makes it easy to miss.  Getting at that treasure may involved going through some tough prickly times.

It is through the hard times that I see God’s love and gentleness with me.  It is when life is difficult that He reveals the treasure of who He is.  His comfort and His grace are the unexpected surprise behind that negative experience.  Through a trial He becomes MY Lord, calling me by My name.  Faith becomes very personal as He reveals to me the treasure of His power and presence.

Help me, Lord, to discover that treasure.  Reveal to me the secret places of Your love!


by Leave a comment

Thirsty Deer

Scripture for Today: Psalm 42:1-2  “As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and behold the face of God?”

There are deer up in the forest on the hill behind our house.  It does not happen often, but I have surprised them on my walks in the vineyards.  I imagine they like to come down and nibble on the vines.  The moist climate of Alsace means that local deer can satisfy much of their thirst in their foraging of wet leaves.  The deer living in a dry sandy country have a greater need for water.

The deer described in our verse today lives in a dry climate and quenches his thirst in a flowing stream. David (thought to be the author) likens his thirst for God to that thirsty deer.  For days and nights David had been crying (verse 3).  The outpouring of his tears has made him thirsty for God’s reassuring presence.  He was crying because his enemies mocked him saying, “where is your God?” (verse 10)  In the face of their taunts and persecution, David thirsts for just a glimpse of the face of God.

David’s relationship to God was so close.  Yet, there were times he was particularly thirsty for His presence.  Those thirsty times were in reaction to the mockery of others.  In the same way, when I am ridiculed for my faith, I need to run to Him.  When my incredulous mocking peers discourage me, there is only one solution; come and be reassured in His satisfying presence.

The sweet water He provides my soul is exactly what is needed in facing an unbelieving world.  Thank you, Lord, that through faith, You satisfy that longing for a glimpse of Your face.


by 1 Comment

Images

IMG_20130724_112152Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 3:18a  “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory….”

We recently toured the famous printing factory called the “Imagerie d’Epinal.”  It has been there since the early 1880’s and is still using today some of the old fashioned hand-operated presses.  We saw several different methods of imprinting images including wooden engravings, moulding and lithographs, like the one pictured here.

These images were used to make cards, posters and literature.  They featured religious or military subjects, Napoleonic history, storybook characters and folk tales.  Of course, the image produced was only as remarkable as the original art.

We are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).  Unlike animals we have will, intellect, creativity, and the ability to worship God.  Our verse for today talks about another image; the image of the Lord Jesus.  This image is being stamped on all who are believers and belong to Him.  It is a slow, life-long transformation.  One day, when I see Him face to face, His image in me will be complete (I John 3:2).

The more I am like Christ, the more beautiful I am!  That is because He is beautiful.  The original image is like a breathtaking work of art.  His goodness and kindness, His patience and love are slowly making their appearance.

Those presses use a tremendous amount of pressure to produce a beautiful image.  In the same way, the Lord often uses difficulty in my life to produce His image.  He is using every negative in my day to press His beautiful character into me.  I am thankful that the hard times are not wasted.  Lord today, “let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.”


by 1 Comment

Rocky Ground

rocky ground.jpg_thumbScripture for Today:  Matthew 13:20-21 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arise because of the Word, immediately he falls away.”

I love having lots of land around our rented French house.  However, there is no lawn and there is no patio or asphalt.  To keep the dust down, our landlord puts in tons of small gravel.  Driving over it, we have picked up some of those rocks in the carriage of the car.  From time to time our landlord delivers more as they eventually disappear, to where I do not know!  The rocks discourage the weeds from growing so I am always glad to have a new batch.

In today’s passage Jesus describes several kinds of soil, representing men’s hearts.  The rocky soil represents the person who seems to accept and understand the Gospel.  He is even enthusiastic in the beginning.  But when (not if) troubles arrive this person renounces his faith.

When the Gospel is shared with promises of a smooth easy life, we are sowing the seed of God’s Word on rocky soil.  If healing or financial ease is expected with acceptance of Christ then we are mixing rocks in with that seed; rocks that will take one down!  That kind of thin soil keeps one from putting down permanent roots that will withstand life’s trials.

Hard times are part of every life.  It is a rocky road for every Christian.  But I can stay faithful and not fall away when my roots are deep in His love and the truth of His Word.  Lord, keep me rooted and grounded in You!