Devotions By Jan


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Watch Out for Splinters!

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 36:6 “Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.”


I do not suppose that this lizard worries about getting splinters from the rough surface of this door!  With his thick, tough reptile skin he can move all over that weathered wood and never be bothered. I, on the other hand, would not want to push or lean on that wood for fear of splinters piercing my skin! I still have memories of my childhood and that painful process of splinter removal!

Today’s verse describes a hand that leans on a flimsy splintered reed of a staff and so is pierced. The King of Assyria was absolutely right to say that leaning on Egypt for help against his attack would be no help at all for King Hezekiah and the Israelites. But then he goes on to insult their dependence on the Lord God! (verse 7) King Hezekiah turns to the Lord in His temple and to the prophet, Isaiah. He prays that God will vindicate His name. And the Lord does, delivering them with a miraculous victory!

Who do I depend on in a crisis? My first thought needs to be His help. He may direct me to all kinds of good sources of aid, but I want my trust and dependence to be firmly placed first and foremost on Him and His power to work. Putting my weight on any other kind of support may just give me those “splinters.” But He will always answer my cries. Nothing is beyond His strength. And when He answers, His name is once again vindicated in my life and in the eyes of all who are watching!

Lord, keep me leaning and depending on You!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Elephant Ear

Scripture for Today: Psalms 85:8  “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants –  but let them not turn to folly.”

The reason for the name of this plant is obvious. The size and shape of this plant’s leaves resemble the ear of the elephant. In fact, this invasive plant can overshadow the surrounding flowering plants with its big leaves, blocking their sunlight. The leaves of the Elephant Ear, or Colocasia, can grow three feet long and two feet wide, or more! If their ears could actually hear, I wonder if they would hear their gardener grumbling about their size and tendency to take over the garden!

I wish my spiritual ears were as big as this plant so as not to miss God’s voice! In today’s verse God’s voice promises peace to His faithful servants. It begins with the psalmist’s statement of intention, “I will listen.” There are a myriad of sounds out there clamoring to be heard. But listening to the Lord through His Word takes intentional effort and discipline. And listening to Him keeps us from folly or doing anything foolish.

He speaks peace to those that belong to Him. What a promise! So many times I have come to Him in prayer totally agitated and stressed. He calms me down and listening intently I hear reminders of His love and control in my circumstances. I get in that troubled state usually because I have not been listening to Him in the first place! If I am honest with myself, I realize I am quite capable of doing all kinds of foolish things with impeccable rationale! Listening to Him daily through His Word is the best way to avoid my own folly. And I so need the peace and calm He offers.

Lord, keep me peaceful by listening to You!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Downey Feathers

Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Photo Credit: Lindsey Bieda https://www.flickr.com/photos/mutednarayan/396673914

Is there anything softer than downey feathers? This is certainly why some duvets and pillows afford such wonderful and comforting sleep. Apart from being breathable and regulating body temperature, these soft feathers will envelop and conform to the body. They are so malleable that there is less strain on the muscles. Their natural softness just wraps around the body, so much so that it is hard to leave!

What a beautiful image feathers are in today’s verse! The Lord covers the believer with something so soft. Yet, at the same time, His feathers are strong, providing refuge from any attack! It is under His wings that we discover His faithful care, as strong and protective as a shield or surrounding rampart. His feathers are lightweight, not weighing us down. We can breathe deeply and catch our breath there, surrounded by His attentive safe keeping. His soft feathers wrap around the body shielding us from whatever threatens us.

The best place to be is under His wings. How good He is to provide that respite for the soul! Sometimes I do not even realize how harsh the world is until I go there and feel the contrast of His soft enveloping love. He offers me His protection and strength there under His waiting wings. But how often do I go there? I am just silly enough to walk right past Him and muddle through on my own. But I have had enough of hard realities. I need to relax, let go, and bask in the soft realities of His love and care.

Lord, keep me under Your wings today.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2021)


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The Moeraki Boulders

Scripture for Today: I Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one beside You; there is no Rock like our God.”

These strange spherical boulders on the Koekohe Beach in New Zealand have fired the imagination for years. The varied names given them include: eel pots, hooligan gallstones, giant gobstoppers, alien brains, bowling balls of the giants and dinosaur eggs! There are over fifty of them and the biggest one weighs seven tons! Their strange appearance makes for a unique landscape. They are made of mud, fine silt and clay, cemented together by calcite, layer upon layer over many years.

Today’s verse is part of Hannah’s prayer as she dedicates her young son, Samuel, to full-time service in the temple. This is the child she had prayed for so ardently, being barren and snubbed. Although she was giving up Samuel, her heart rejoiced being vindicated before her enemies (verse 1). She felt delight at God’s deliverance and praises Him for being her holy and unique Rock. Throughout Scripture our God is pictured as a Rock. What an image of His strength and permanence! Layer upon layer of faithfulness to His Word makes for a sure foundation.

I never need to worry whether my Rock will be there tomorrow or the day after. He is immoveable and unchanging. He is my strength, and my refuge. Being my Rock, He is a place of strength and refreshment for my flagging spirit. The surface of this rock has a cool touch when I am too warm from stress and anxiety. But that same rock surface is warm from the sun and comforting when I am feeling cool and indifferent. I know He is faithful to meet my every need as He has proved Himself over and over!

Lord, be my Rock today.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)


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Roadrunner Tracks

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 20:24 “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?”

The roadrunner is in the cuckoo family but he doesn’t say, “cuckoo” or “beep beep.”  This long-legged bird is built for speed and can even outrun humans!  The roadrunner is believed to have special powers to make the listener feel tired when hearing his call!  Some Indian tribes believe he can protect against evil spirits.  Their distinctive “X” tracks supposedly confuse the spirits as to which direction they are taking!  I wonder if the roadrunner is himself confused when seeing his own tracks?

Today’s verse acknowledges that the Lord directs the steps of those who belong to Him.  But often, the one directed has no idea of His direction!  The question expresses what is often felt:  How can anyone understand their own way?  It often is puzzling.  We do not have the same vantage point and we can never understand it all.  We are told in any case not to lean on our own understanding but to acknowledge Him so that He can direct us (Prov. 3:5-6).

Because I cannot see what lies ahead, I need to trust the One who is already there and knows the way.  If I were to wait until I understood the reasons behind every directive, I would be at a standstill and make no progress!  But I can be confident of my direction even without full understanding.  That is because I trust Him.  His eyes are always on me and the twists and turns are not random.  He has a loving purpose for me in every change of course.  And His direction is always towards a more loving relationship with Himself!

Lord, help me to trust You completely!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2020)