The Upper Room Daily Devotional 19 August 2022 for Friday Message || Sunshine After Rain
Read The Upper Room Daily Devotional 19 August 2022 Message by Stephen E. Freeman (Virginia, USA)
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TOPIC: Sunshine After Rain
TODAY’S READING
Psalm 34:1-8
KEY VERSE: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 19 August 2022 MESSAGE
In April 2008, we lost our teenage son, Nick, to suicide. Nick was much loved by our large family and his many friends. His sudden passing left us with raw emotions of shock, loss, anguish, and grief. How could this have happened, and why did God allow it? Searching scripture, I discovered Psalm 34. Reading verse 18 brought an immediate conviction in my heart that as painful as this was, God would take care of us.
The weather forecast for the day of the funeral called for a 100 percent chance of rain. I offered this short prayer: “God, I need blue skies and sunshine to bury my son.” On the morning of the funeral, the sky was threatening; but as we emerged from the service midday, the clouds had vanished, the skies were blue, and the sun was shining. The weather remained perfect the rest of the day. In the days that followed, we were surrounded by family and friends who cared for all our needs, a further sign of God’s continuing compassion.
God did not answer my “why” question; but God was present, showing compassion, sovereignty, and care. We will forever mourn our son, but we will live on with hope, and a certainty that God loves us and that we will someday join Nick in eternity.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, when we are overcome with grief, thank you for your promise never to leave us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God’s love will see us through our greatest trial.
PRAYER FOCUS
Families of suicide victims
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 19 August 2022 Message. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More
