Devotions By Jan


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Delayed!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 40:17 “But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; You are my God, do not delay.”

This happened. Actually, experiencing flight delays happens pretty regularly. Unlike the girl pictured I try to stay calm, but when a connecting flight is affected I do tend to panic! No one likes running frantically to a gate. Being delayed because of my own lack of organization is one thing, but when the airlines delay me for whatever reason, I feel intense frustration. I have no control and that is an uncomfortable feeling!

David was concerned about delays for a much better reason. He was waiting for the Lord to act on his behalf in the face of enemies! Today’s verse is a cry for help and deliverance. David saw that he had no control in the situation. In fact, he was humble enough to clearly see his poor and needy state. He was totally dependent on God’s response. How odd that a mighty king would say that he is poor and needy. Yet David felt that way when overwhelmed with his troubles and sin, as well as his enemies (verse 12).

When I am feeling rich and confident in my own resources I am less likely to call out to the Lord for help. I am tempted to feel smug and complacent when all is going well. It is when I am surrounded by troubles that I realize I have so little control. Panic and frustration take over when feeling victimized by my circumstances. It is at that point that I realize just how poor and needy I am! Perhaps, that is why God sometimes delays. He waits for humility. He opposes the proud but gives so much timely grace to the humble.

Thank you Lord, that Your help is never too late when I cry out to You.


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Swallowing a Fly!

Scripture for Today: II Samuel 22:28 “You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.”

“There was an old lady who swallowed a fly,” is a fun children’s rhyme that progressively becomes more absurd. This old lady, rather than ask for help, takes matters into her own hands by swallowing first a spider to catch the fly. When that does not work she swallows a bird, then a cat, then a dog, then a cow, and at the end, a horse, “…she’s dead, of course!” If she had just swallowed her pride with the fly, she could have asked for help!

Today’s verse is part of David’s psalm of praise for God’s deliverance from his enemies and from Saul. David called out to the Lord (verse 4) and he was answered in a spectacular way! Perhaps the outcome would have been very different had he not humbled himself. If like the old woman and the fly, David had tried to solve his problem by himself, he would have missed seeing God’s remarkable power work in his favor. God responds to the humble but in fact opposes the proud. (I Peter 5:5b) When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, the Lord promises to lift us up in His timing. (verse 6)

There is such a strong independent spirit in me that says: “I can do this.” “I am fine.” “I’ve got this.” “I can handle it.” I can almost see the Lord shaking His head at me. He wants to lift me up out of the mess. He wants to show grace, favor, and blessing. But He waits for humility on my part. It is when in humility I admit my weaknesses that He shows His incredible grace and strength! (II Corinthians 12:9)

Lord, I humbly ask for Your grace today!

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2020)


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Dead Head

Scripture for Today: John 15:2 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

My beautiful blue flowers (Felicia Amelloides) lining the walk to the front door are being crowded out by their predecessors! What a long meticulous process it is to dead head them. But in making the effort, there can be new growth of that dainty blue flower. For awhile, the flowers look a bit sparse. But in no time at all the flowers will have room to blossom and fill in. You can clearly see where I stopped my work. I try to be careful but often I inadvertently snip off the healthy flowers or buds.

Today’s verse refers to the pruning of vines to produce more and better grapes. But the idea is the same; that old growth needs to be removed before new growth can happen. The one who does the pruning is God, our Vinedresser. As believers, we are branches connected to Jesus, our Vine, and that connection produces a fruitful God-honoring life. We are not to be content with the fruit He has already produced. His precise life-long pruning produces more fruit that is richer and more plentiful.

God wants to take away anything that holds me back from growing and bearing fruit. It could be a success or a failure. Am I so content with past good works for Him that I feel I don’t need to do more or do better? Or perhaps it is the guilt of that personal failure I keep hidden from view. Or maybe it is holding on to a behavior I know does not please Him. It all needs to be cut back to allow new fresh growth. It does not always feel so good. But God is continually at work in me, changing me to want to bear fruit for Him. (Phil. 2:13)

Thank you Lord, for what You produce in me.


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Greener Grass

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:2-3a “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

This silly goat must be convinced that the grass is greener on the other side of his fence to be in this predicament! We cannot fault him too much as our longing for what might be just out of our reach is an apt description of many of us! The author and scholar James Pomerantz, proved in 1983 that grass at a distance will appear greener even when it is not! Without going into his optical and perceptual laws, it is seeing the blades of grass close up and perpendicular to the ground that will give us the true color.

Today’s verse speaks of green pastures. God, as our Shepherd leads us there and makes us to lie down. It is such a beautiful picture of rest and refreshment. The grass is plenty green as it is fed by quiet waters and it is there that our souls are refreshed. It is not on the other side of the fence. It is not out of reach. However, our Shepherd has to lead us there. It can be right in front of us but we are too busy and distracted to see it. We are also too busy to slow down and stop. He makes us lie down.

When I am feeling overwhelmed or discontent my soul needs refreshing. The world will tell me that I need to refresh myself with a spa treatment, the newest tech product or any number of theatrical or culinary distractions! I believe in having a balanced life that includes fun. But none of these touch my soul. Restoring my soul is spending time with my Shepherd in that green pasture. My soul is refreshed when He walks with me along those still waters. He calms that pervasive disquiet inside.

Thank you Lord, that spending time with You refreshes me.


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Fishy Hierarchy

Scripture for Today: Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The Clownfish has a very different hierarchy and a unique way of preserving it. A group of clownfish will have just one breeding female among its males. She is the most important and mates with just one male, who then becomes second in importance. Following him is the biggest male and on down the line. But when she disappears, everything changes. The male biologically changes into a female! He takes her place and everyone moves up in the hierarchy!

Today’s verse changes every hierarchy whether based on race, status or gender. In Christ Jesus, there is a oneness that is found no where else in the world. The divisiveness of a hierarchy is gone. The power play over others is gone. Jesus Christ is the Head of every believer. And we all have the same position being members of His body and being submitted to Him. Being “in Christ” means we are all His children through faith, clothed with Him and belonging to Him. (verses 26-29)

These distinctions lose their importance when “in” Christ Jesus who is so far superior. And being in Him is not something future but is a reality today. Living out this truth is done imperfectly, though. It seems easier to be divided. It is natural for me to want the upper hand. But I can have the correct view of myself in relationship to others when I see my position in Him. The ground at the cross is level. Regardless of earth-made hierarchies we are united in needing continual forgiveness, grace and help.

Lord, help me to live this “oneness” with other believers today.