Devotions By Jan


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Pacifiers

Scripture for Today: I Peter 2:2-3 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

A pacifier can be a life saver when trying to calm a fussy baby.  It is a poor substitute for the milk they need, but somehow that sucking action is soothing.  There is lots of controversy regarding the advisability of using one.  But all I know is that a frenzied harried parent is just so thankful to silence those frustrated (though satiated) cries.  None of my three children would ever take it although I repeatedly tried giving them one.  They stubbornly held out for the real thing.

Our verse for today describes the craving a newborn feels for milk.  Especially in the beginning of life, feeding seems to be constant and around the clock.  The newborn is busy growing and changing in those first few weeks, needing to be steadily supplied.  We are to crave spiritual milk in much the same way.  It is only in feeding on God’s Word that we can change and grow.

Spiritual pacifiers are also out there.  We can choose to calm ourselves down and be soothed by a number of different things.  They can be good in themselves and really be effective.  I love to sit and be soothed by certain types of music, for example.  The problem comes in preferring the pacifier to the milk.  I may be distracted from my need, so that in fact it can remain unmet.  But after tasting how good the Lord is, the pacifier leaves much to be desired!  Nothing can completely satisfy my spiritual longings but the Lord who created me for Him.

Lord, keep me craving only You!

 

 


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The Nile

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 24 :1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.”

The mighty historic Nile was the scene ushering in the new millennium for our family.  We had the privilege of staying with friends in Cairo and experiencing a felucca on the water at the very instant of this momentous change!

The ancient Egyptians considered the Nile as a god, providing water, food and livelihoods.  The land of Egypt itself is said to be a “gift of the Nile.”  The Pharaoh of Egypt during Ezekiel’s day had the audacity to declare that the Nile was his and that he had made it! (Ezekiel 29:3 & 9)  God punished his arrogance and the misplaced trust of the people by scattering them and laying waste to the land for forty years.

What Pharaoh said was in direct opposition to the truth of today’s verse.  The earth belongs to the Lord.  He is its Creator and no one else can take from Him this credit.  Every beautiful river, every breathtaking mountain and every stunning sunset are all His creation.  That newborn babe is a product of His hands.  Giving Him the glory for His creation is the very least we can do in response.

We may not have Pharaohs saying such outrageous things today, but we do have something similar.  We hear terms like the “Big Bang Theory,” or even “Mother Nature.”  Whenever we ascribe credit to anything other than God’s creative hand, we are stealing the glory that is His due!  Not only does His creation give Him glory but it reveals what is invisible; His power and divine nature! (Romans 1:20)

I hope I never become jaded to His incredible creation.  Lord, may the wonder of Your work keep me awestruck and praising You.


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Baby Steps

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:23 “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

Learning to walk has its ups and downs!  Our second grandson is getting ready to take his first steps.  It is a slow process, holding on to what is stable in order to be eventually stable one’s self.  What an adventure to find balance and courageously take that first step!  There is plenty of swaying and lots of plopping on the floor, but eventually his steps become firmer.  The hand is relinquished and a new independence is found!

Our verse for today is a promise for the one who delights in the Lord.  This is a conditional promise, addressed to the believer who relishes his relationship with God.  Delighting in the Lord describes a dependent relationship where one does not let go of His hand.  Unlike the development of a baby, the believer is to become progressively more dependent.  Letting go of His hand and going our own way puts us at risk of falling.

Life is not without its stumbles.  We learn greater trust and dependence when stumbling.  But falling down hard is not part of His plan for His children.  He is there at our sides to insure that it does not happen.  Unfortunately, it happens anyway as we let go of His hand to go our own way.

When I suddenly find myself sprawled on the ground asking myself, “What happened?” He stretches out His hand to lift me up.  Hopefully, the next time I think to wander off, I will hold on to His hand more tightly instead.

Lord, it is a delight to walk with You.  Keep me holding on to Your hand today.


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Insomnia

Scripture for Today: Psalm 121:3-4 “He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.”

I am not sure what this stork is doing up in the middle of the night.  It certainly is not normal.  I am not sure what I am doing up in the middle of the night.  Thankfully, it is not normal for me either.  New mothers especially can be prone to insomnia.  Listening for that newborn’s cry can make one’s own sleep illusive.  Perhaps this is what the image of the stork represents, awake in the light of the moon.  A new mother is a focused and watchful mother, heeding every whimper and cry.

Our verse for today reassures us of the watchful care of our Heavenly Father.  He is awake and vigilant at all times, needing no sleep.  His care is constant and we never have to wonder if He is aware.  Nothing gets past Him.  He is never inattentive to the needs of His children.  This short psalm of eight verses reaffirms five times that He watches over us.  He keeps us from harm and watches over our comings and goings.

Being aware of His care and watchfulness gives me a real sense of peace throughout my day.  He is the Source of my help (verse 1) and He runs to me at my first feeble cry.  Like a new mother, He is listening for my cry for help.  But unlike a new mother, He is the Maker of heaven and earth with all the power to help and protect me.  I can trust that care and entrust to Him my very life.

Lord, thank you for Your watchful care.  I am amazed that You love me that much!

 


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Happiest Place on Earth

Scripture for Today: Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”

It is quite a claim Disneyland makes; to be the happiest place on earth.  Being from Southern California, I have had ample opportunity to check out this claim.  In general, my experiences have been positive despite crowds, rainy days or high prices.  There is something sweet and magical about the park.  One can temporarily escape the harsh realities of life and enjoy a different make-believe world.  But I am not sure it is my happiest place.

Our verse for today describes a different place; God’s presence.  There one can be filled with joy and experience eternal pleasures!  Unlike Disneyland, it is not a make-believe place, but a reality.  In His presence I can truly take a break from all that is harsh and ugly in life.  The pleasures I find in sweet communion with my Creator are not temporary fixes but eternal and a foretaste of what is to come.

The best thing about this place of joy is that it is not limited to one locale.  It is perhaps easier to focus on His presence with other believers on a Sunday morning, but in fact there are no parameters to His presence.  I can be in this “happy place” no matter where I am and regardless of my circumstances.  His joy is a deep-seated calm and confidence of His control despite what is happening around me.  Remaining and abiding in His presence means I can feel complete joy (John 15:11) as opposed to any other kind!

Thank you Lord, for the joy of Your sweet presence.  Help me to stay there all day long!