THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 19TH NOVEMBER 2024, TUESDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 19th November 2024 written by Denise E. Arzoian (Oregon, USA)
TOPIC: Rowing or Drifting?
Today’s Reading
Hebrews 2:1-4
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. – Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)
Today’s Message
It was a warm spring day — perfect for fishing. I felt such peace as my husband and I drifted along the calm lake in our inflatable boat. The sun warmed my face, and the gentle breeze pushed us along. We were so focused on our fishing poles that we didn’t realize how far we had drifted. What I thought was a gentle breeze was much stronger than I realized. We were heading into the reeds!
We quickly began rowing to avoid getting stuck, but each time our aching arms forced us to stop rowing, the wind took over again and moved our boat. Wet, tired, and frustrated, we ended up in a place we didn’t want to go.
When I reflected on this later, it occurred to me that my relationship with God is like that experience on the lake. It requires focus to grow in my faith. If I’m not actively rowing toward Jesus, I can easily drift away.
It’s easy to get caught up in the winds of the world and end up going in a direction we don’t want to go. Our relationship with God, time spent in scripture, and our connection to the church body make the difference between moving toward God or drifting away.
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, help us to keep our attention on you and not on the things of this world that cause us to drift away from you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Are my actions bringing me closer to God?
Prayer Focus
For spiritual perseverance
The Upper Room Devotional 19th November 2024, 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