Devotions By Jan

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

The unthinkable actually happened. We were visiting a chateau in the Loire Valley with friends and I crossed paths with my twin. Okay, so she was not my twin but we were wearing the same dress. My husband had to snap the picture. However, it was not for the purpose of playing the game, “Who Wore it Better?” Normally, one does not strike up a conversation with a complete stranger in French society, but in this case an exception was made! We had a good laugh and teased each other about our good taste and our different accessories.

Today’s verse comes from a psalm of David that acknowledges God’s intimate knowledge of His creation. From the very beginning in our mother’s womb, He has formed us to be exactly who we are. Our particular combination of DNA is not by chance. Each one of us, even identical twins, can say we are unique and unlike anyone else. And each of us can say that we are wonderfully made when we see all the intricacies and complexities to our bodies.

The fact that we are unique can also be said of our individual relationship with God. All men have the same need for salvation. And all believers have the same access to God through His Son, Jesus. However, each of us relate to Him a bit differently. Our personalities, life experiences, our emotions and our understanding of God’s Word all play a part in this special and unique and growing relationship. There are no cookie-cutter ways to commune with Him. Although based on what Scripture teaches, His relationship with me is unique to me. 

Thank you Lord, that You make our relationship so intensely personal!

(Look familiar? This is a reworked post from 2006!)

Scripture for Today: Habakkuk 3:19 “The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”

The deer at this altitude seems totally unimpressed with the view! It is because the feet of the deer are so adapted to climbing that they can reach these heights. Whether chasing other deer, evading danger or simply running, their muscular hind legs propel them forward. The front legs actually act like pivot points to make sharp turns. But it is the hooves that make it all possible. The deer can place his back feet exactly where his two front feet were, needing only two foot rests instead of four.

The prophet, Habakkuk, declares in today’s verse that the Sovereign Lord is his strength. He acknowledges by this statement that he has no strength of his own. And by calling the Lord, “Sovereign,” he recognizes that whatever his difficult circumstances may be, God is the One who is in control. Rather than focus on his limitations, Habakkuk sees God leading him to the heights, enabling him to stand confident and sure-footed! Habakkuk is not living in his circumstances, but above them!

Without God’s help and strength, I am unsure and wobbly. When the path is level I can do pretty well on my own. The problem is that my life is seldom smooth. My path is strewn with pits and obstacles. My circumstances trip me up. Instead of relying on Him, I try to maneuver on my own. In doing so, my head is down and I miss the heights with their fantastic views. I need God’s help and strength everyday.  When He answers my cry, He enables me to stand on the heights and enjoy the view of His faithfulness!

Lord, make my feet like the deer today.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 12:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

As with so many presidential inaugurations, we hear inspiring words that encourage us to look to the future. And so it was again with the words of a young poet laureate reading her poem saying, “And so we lift our gazes, not to what stands between us but what stands before us.”. What is standing before the girl in this image is the strength of a mountain which she seems to be embracing!

Today’s verse is an encouragement as to where to look. We are to lift our eyes, not to what stands between us nor to what stands before us. Neither of those gazes are lifted high enough! This psalm of ascent is thought to be part of a collection sung and recited during the Jews’ annual uphill pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Looking up to the elevated temple of Jerusalem they are at the same time figuratively lifting their eyes to the Lord who sits enthroned in heaven. (Psalm 123:1) He is the Maker of heaven and earth and the Source of much-needed help!

It is when I lift my gaze to Almighty God that I have any hope for my future. As Creator God, He has absolute control and power to help. On my own, even with the best intentions, I fail to do the right thing. (Rom. 7:15) I fail to see others as more important than myself. (Rom. 12:3) He not only helps me to live a life that pleases Him, but He helps me in every area with His presence, love, comfort and forgiveness. Because He alone is my help, I can look to the future with every confidence!

Lord, keep me gazing at You for my help!

Scripture for Today: Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.”

My husband and I were to have a rendez-vous at a particular cafe near our home in France. We arranged to meet there after doing our shopping. As planned, I arrived at the appointed hour. I then waited close to two hours for my husband, not knowing whether to be angry or worried! As this was before cell phones, I had no choice but to wait. Randy, on the other hand, was having much the same experience in a cafe down the road! We laugh about it now, but a missed rendez-vous is no fun at all!

In today’s verse we are reminded that the Scriptures are written for our learning. Through reading His Word, we are encouraged to persevere and to have hope. God is the source of endurance and the One who supplies that hope. One of the Bible studies I led was called, “Rendez-Vous Avec La Bible.” Normally in French, a “rendez-vous” is a term used only with meeting people. But in a sense, when studying God’s Word, one meets with its Author! Unlike any other book in the world, there is a meeting or rendez-vous with the One who spoke through the writers. 

There are many ways God encourages me to persevere and to hope. He uses the testimonies of others. He uses a beautiful hymn. He uses the prayers of others. But the biggest source of hope and encouragement is God’s Word. It is through His Word that I am taught to look to Him for hope. It is in meeting with Him that I am encouraged to persevere. That is one rendez-vous I do not want to miss!

Thank you Lord, for the encouragement You give me.

Scripture for Today: John 3:30 “He must become greater, I must become less.”

Had this man been a religious official in ancient Rome, anyone watching him would assume he was interpreting natural signs or augurs. Divine approval or disapproval was often determined by watching the behavior of birds! Augurs were meant to predict an outcome. “Inaugurato” was a ceremony using the augurs to seek the sanction of the gods for something decreed by man. The Latin origin of inaugurate was “inaugurare” meaning to “increase.”

John the Baptist in today’s verse is reassuring his disciples. They were concerned that Jesus was stealing John’s thunder. John told them that Jesus must increase or become greater while he himself must fulfill his role to prepare the way for Him. John understood that he would decrease, or become less, even though he was in the unique position of being the last prophet of the Old Testament. Rather than holding on to his influence and power, John gives way to the Lord. In a sense, John the Baptist was to “inaugurate” Jesus, pointing people to Him. His ministry was not about himself but about Jesus.

There may be no formal ceremony involved, but I am to do all I can to decrease myself and increase my Lord! My life is not about me primarily but about Him. Paul expressed this thought when he said, “For me to live is Christ…” (Phil. 1:21) I want Him to be seen and recognized in me but it is a daily challenge! However, I find that when His character is evident in me through His Spirit, I am my best self! It seems counter-intuitive but fulfilling my role to point others to Him makes my own little life so much more significant!

Lord, may You increase in me and in my life!