Devotions By Jan

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:30-31 “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts, their feet do not slip.”

(Photo: © Michael Wood)

If you find yourself slipping as you walk in the forest, it may be because you have stepped on a Slippery Jack Mushroom! You can take your revenge by picking it and cooking it for your dinner as it is edible. Their name comes from their slippery slimy cap. But its name has another source as well. Apparently, there is a Slippery Jill Mushroom too! And of course, those two names recall the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme where both characters fall climbing that hill.

Today’s verses describe the righteous as being wise in what they say. They speak only what is just and true. The law of God is not something they only agree with in principle. It is something they cherish and have in their hearts. God’s law is the source of their wisdom and it is in following God’s law that their feet do not slip. God’s law lives in their hearts instead of just laying on the bookshelf. The righteous allow God’s law to keep them from any slip of the tongue.

God does not want me to slip. But it is exactly what I do when I am wise in my own eyes and when I think I know better! God’s laws are not just good ideas. They are inspired and given with love to spare me unnecessary pain. I do not want to grudgingly obey them. I want to cherish and love them for the wisdom they give. I don’t just want them in my head but in my heart.

Lord, help me to keep Your law in my heart.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 49:13-14a “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd…”

Quite often we would see flocks of sheep in rural France. This shepherd kindly allowed us to take this photo and from it I made a plaque that hangs on our wall with Scripture. It was not until I enlarged it however, that I noticed something troubling in his right hand. I wanted to believe that this little lamb was fine and that he was in fact helping it. But it may be that its little life was over and he was removing it. From his smile, the shepherd does not look too concerned.

Today’s verse tells us that there is a shepherd we do not want to follow. He is a shepherd who leads his sheep to their death. His followers are those that trust in themselves and who have influence on others who approve of everything they say. What a contrast this is to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus! (Hebrews 13:20) He leads those that trust in Him away from death and towards life! This Good Shepherd lays down his own life for the sheep. (John 10:15) And He came so that His sheep would have abundant life! (John 10:10)

What a huge difference between these two shepherds! The choice is between death or life. And the criteria is a matter of my trust and where I place it. Without even realizing it, when I trust in myself I am following the wrong shepherd and it does not end well! But entrusting my life to the life-giving Shepherd ends with an eternity with Him!

Keep me following You, Lord.

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 60:20 “Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light and your days of sorrow will end.”

No, the sky is not falling. But in fact, I think I would prefer that to falling iguanas on my head! There is currently an “iguana falling alert” in southern Florida as temperatures drop. This cold-blooded reptile will fall out of its tree as though dead when the temperatures dip into the 40’s. The cold stuns them so completely that they become immobile and still, dropping to the ground. They stay that way until the sun warms them up again!

Todays’s verse is a beautiful promise. Though the sun sets now and the temperatures may drop, there will come a day when the sun will always be shining and the light of the moon will never wane. The Lord will be our everlasting light and with His life-giving warmth, sorrows will end. The believer in Christ can look forward to the time when there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain. (Rev. 21:4) Isaiah describes it as a time when sorrow and sighing will flee away! (Isaiah 35:10)

The warmth of the Lord’s presence gives me life now and eternally! Though I was once dead in my own sin, He has brought me to life! (Col.2:13) And I can look forward to a life one day without darkness, and without the coldness of death and separation. His eternal life-giving light will chase away all sorrow and sighing. What a day that will be when I wake up to unending perfect light! It is this sure hope that keeps me looking forward despite dark circumstances. He is faithful and He will do it!

Thank you Lord, for being my everlasting light!

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 5:18-19a “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit…”

The Cedar Waxwing is a beautiful social bird that loves her berries! She can often be seen with a flock, sitting in fruit trees. She will sometimes play with her food, plucking the berries out of mid air while she hovers. The problem comes when she indulges her appetite on berries that are overripe and fermented. Can birds get drunk? Recently in North Texas, these birds have become disoriented, crashing into windows!

Today’s verse contrasts being drunk, filled with wine, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Both states give up some measure of control. It is not unusual for a drunk person to sing. But he is also disoriented and sometimes crashing into things. The one filled with God’s Spirit also sings! But his songs are from the Spirit and express thankful praise to Him. It is not just lip service but is from the heart and directed both to others and to the Lord. Speaking and singing our praise is clear evidence that we are filled with Him.

When I am filled with Him than I am also filled with song. I know things are not right when I see only the negative and cannot see what is good in my life. How my attitude changes when I acknowledge and thank Him for all the blessings! His filling gives me even more impetus to praise HIm. Not only does it come naturally to my lips, but I will want to share that praise with others! There is a satisfaction being filled with Him that I do not experience any other way!

Thank you Lord, for how You fill me!

Scripture for Today: John 12:37 “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.”

This cute little guy pops up all over the mountains, delighting hikers. He is the Alpine marmot and is part of the squirrel family. He lives in underground burrows, is a vegetarian and hibernates most of the winter. In North America, we know him better as the groundhog. Just yesterday, the most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter by seeing his shadow. Had he not seen it, legend says that spring would come early. For some it is a sign but perhaps most people would not believe it.

In today’s verse, Jesus is performing true signs with His miraculous power. These signs fulfilled what was said of Him in prophecy, that He would give sight to the blind, cause the lame to walk, cleanse the leper, cause the deaf to hear, raise the dead and proclaim good news to the poor. (Isaiah 35:5-6 & Matt. 11:5) These signs were to prove His identity as the Son of God. And even though there was proof before their eyes, many would still not believe.

So, for some seeing is NOT believing. But God graciously continues to reveal Himself through what He has miraculously created. (Romans 1:20) And He continues to reveal Himself to me through His Word. I also see evidence of His love for me daily and I am humbled. Everything that is good in my life comes from His hand. (James 1:17) But the biggest sign He gives me is the unseen reassurance in my heart that I belong to Him and He belongs to me! That close growing relationship with Him continues to strengthen and with it my faith.

Thank you Lord, for giving me every sign I need to believe in You.

(Merci, Jean-Luc Zaepfel, pour l’image!)