Devotions By Jan


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Storm Surge

Isaiah 57:20-21 “But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.'”

It is not enough to prepare for the winds and rain of a hurricane. For some that live in coastal areas, there is the possibility of storm surge. The winds blow along the ocean surface and cause the water to pile up. Coastal areas adjacent to a shallow sloping of the ocean floor are especially at risk. And if this abnormal rise of water occurs at the same time as high tide, the flood damage can be extensive!

Today’s verse pictures the wicked like the continual movements of the ocean’s waves. They are never at rest but always moving and tossing. Their activities throw up mud, mire and dirt. One can tell where they have been. The wicked experience no calm and quiet. Their godless lifestyle puts them squarely in the middle of unpleasant drama. They have no peace with God, no peace with others nor peace in their hearts. That is because peace is directly linked to righteousness or right standing with God (Isaiah 32:17)

It is in right standing with God that I can have quietness and confidence (Is. 32:17). I have no righteousness of my own but enjoy His gift of righteousness in Christ. Being in Christ (Romans 8:1) means I do not fear condemnation for my sin. My soul is at rest. I am not troubled with guilt. My life is not made up of tossing waves but a stillness and calm that only the Lord can provide, even in difficult circumstances. I can count on His peace to carry me through. Water will not overwhelm me. He gently leads me to still quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2)

Thank you Lord, for making me peaceful.


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Ayers Rock

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock Eternal.”

This huge red rock rising up from the Central Australian desert, is quite impressive for several reasons. First, it is remarkable for its size. It measures almost 6 miles in circumference and stands 1,141 feet high! Also, this huge rock made of sandstone is home to rare plants and animals and ancient art can be seen on its cave walls. The rock is called, “Uluru,” by the Australian Aboriginal peoples. But perhaps most surprising is the claim that this rock is half a billion years old!

Today’s verse describes a rock that has far “outlived” the Ayers Rock. The Lord is said twice in this verse to be a rock that is eternal. And it is because He is eternal that He is worthy of our trust. He is not going anywhere. We can count on His faithfulness as His Word and promises are solid. And because He is eternal, without beginning or end, our trust in Him can last forever. When we steadfastly trust this solid rock, we are kept in perfect peace. (verse 3) He will never be moved from His faithful commitment to His children.

How quickly the world can change! The refashioning of what is considered, “normal,” seems to have occurred in an instant. The “good ole days,” can be as recent as last month! But in the midst of changes, whether considered positive or negative, I can have perfect peace. I can be steadfast because my trust in the Lord is steadfast. My faith in Him can grow stronger because He is my unmovable, unchanging and eternal Rock. Despite the swirling unsettled political, financial, or relational landscape, I can count on my Eternal Rock.

Lord, You are my strength and my stability.


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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!

(By the way, this post was written and scheduled last week!)


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Play Money

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:7-8a  “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

This Monopoly player seems to be doing pretty well!  There must be some smug satisfaction in seeing those piles of money grow.  I can imagine that he feels fairly protected from unexpected debts other players may try to saddle him with.  Winning the game looks like a goal he can reach.  But imagine if this same player tried to pocket those bills and spend them at a local store!  These “riches” are only good in a limited context of play.

Today’s verse speaks of riches; the riches of God’s grace.  And while the play money is only good for the game, these riches are eternal.  And these riches are incomparable to anything else. This grace is expressed in God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:7) We cannot pay for the forgiveness of sin.  Trying to earn the riches of God’s grace is like trying to use Monopoly money!  The riches of God’s grace have only been lavished on those who stop trying to pay for it themselves.

How rich I am to have experienced this incredible grace!  I cannot earn it.  I cannot pay for it.  My debt of sin was too large but He paid for it all out of His unfathomable kindness to me.  He saved me by His grace but it does not stop there!  The riches of His grace continue on to make living for Him possible.  His grace gives me the desire to love and serve Him.  It is in realizing and appreciating the riches of His grace that I am motivated to live a life worthy of it!

Lord, thank you for the true riches You have lavished on me!


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Stuck!

Scripture for Today: John 8:31-32 “…Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”

This poor cat looks traumatized! And because he is a cat, he is not only stuck but embarrassed about it! There is panic in his eyes as he realizes that pretended indifference will not save him! He can act as if he meant to be there in this ridiculous position, but no one would be fooled. Perhaps he believed a lie in overestimating his own prowess. But clearly he needs someone to climb up there and free him.

Today’s verse describes how the truth will set one free. Jesus is speaking to Jews who were incensed that He would refer to them as “enslaved.” But in fact, lies and falsehoods do enslave those who believe them to the author of lies, Satan. Jesus names him as the “father of lies” having no truth in him. (verse 45) In contrast, Jesus calls Himself, the Truth. (John 14.6) And He calls His Word, “truth.” (John 17:17) His truth sets us free from deception. The truth sets us free to know our Creator, to love Him and to serve Him.

It is increasingly difficult to distinguish truth today. The veneer of authenticity is so convincing. The packaging of the lie is deceptive. But I know the One who is Truth. It is not a concept. It is a Person. The more I know Him, the less likely I am to be deceived by the father of lies. The more I read the truth of His Word, the more I can distinguish what does not come from Him. And the best part of recognizing truth is that it brings me closer to Him!

Lord, free me by Your truth to love You more!