THE UPPER ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 9 AUGUST 2024, FRIDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: Focusing on the Pattern
Today’s Reading
Psalm 119:9-16
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. – Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
I enjoy crocheting, particularly while watching TV. I often start a project when I hear that a friend is expecting a baby. I dig out my favorite patterns — those that aren’t too complicated. I usually pick a pattern I have made in the past and that I’m confident I can complete.
My recent project, a sweater, was progressing nicely until I was instructed to “join yarn at center under arm.” I studied the cloak-shaped garment. Under arm? I thought, There are no arms! I read back through the instructions. To my dismay, I realized that as I happily crocheted, I had overlooked an important step in the pattern. Annoyed, I ripped out two-thirds of my work.
Reflecting back, I realize that all too often we do this in life as well. We know enough of God’s word to proceed, assuming from our past experiences that we know God’s will. But if we aren’t continually refreshing our minds with the guidance God offers in scripture, it is easy to miss vital points — particularly with the noise of the world in the background. Keeping God’s word firmly in mind and reflecting on it helps us to follow God’s leading.
Today’s Prayer
Loving God, draw us often to your word so that we can more closely follow your will. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Studying God’s word regularly helps me stay true to the pattern Jesus created.
Prayer Focus
Someone beginning to study scripture daily
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More from Lisa Stackpole
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 9 August 2024 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. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More