The Upper Room Daily Devotional – 8th December 2022 written by Nenye Andy-Eke (Lagos, Nigeria). As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Unexpected
TODAY’S READING
Mark 10:35-45
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. – Luke 2:12 (NRSV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional – 8th December 2022 MESSAGE
For a year, my sister, Chinwe, and I had excitedly planned her son’s destination wedding. Three days before the wedding, I flew from Lagos to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with decorations for the colorful Nigerian ceremony. But then we had a shock. Chinwe was hospitalized, getting tested for kidney stones. If the tests were positive, she would need urgent surgery. Thanks be to God, the tests were negative.
We can never anticipate what might happen to our plans. I wonder if Mary expected her long, dusty journey to Bethlehem or the rejection of the innkeeper. Did she know her beloved baby — the eternal King — would have to lie in a manger? Similarly, the apostles in Mark 10 expected Jesus to have an earthly throne and wanted to sit beside him. They didn’t anticipate their modest lives or the suffering they would experience.
Disappointments dot our lives — failed business ventures, broken relationships, lost loved ones, rejected job applications, unanswered prayers. When things do not go as we expect, we can learn to trust the eternal King who was born in a stable. God is always with us.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Loving Father, increase our faith and trust that you will see us through every disappointment. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
In every unexpected event, I will look for God’s presence.
PRAYER FOCUS
Newlyweds
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