The Upper Room Devotional 5 March 2026, Thursday Message
Beside Quiet Waters
Jillian Bell (Ontario, Canada)
Today’s Reading
Psalm 23:1-6
[The Lord] makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. – Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
I like to be busy. If a friend is looking for a tennis or running buddy, I usually say yes. I raise my hand when my church needs volunteers. I try to meet the needs I see in my community.
I love my full, vibrant life, but sometimes it becomes too much. When I pile on too many obligations, I become stressed and irritable. I know I need to rest, but it can be hard to resist the temptation of constant activity because then I feel like I’m letting people down.
In those times, my Savior reminds me how important rest is for my soul. He leads me into rhythms of sabbath and restoration. I don’t always know what I need, but thankfully God does. If we take time each day to sit and savor God’s word and love, our priorities will begin to look more like God’s.
When I am tempted to fill every moment with activity, the Lord reminds me of the importance of lying down in green pastures and the simple joy of strolling beside quiet waters. When I spend time with Jesus in silence, I’m not missing out on anything.
Thought for the Day
I will find time today to rest in the presence of my Savior.
Prayer Focus
Those who are weary and overworked
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, help us take time to rest. Revive and restore us so we can serve our families, churches, and communities from a place of wholeness and peace. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 5 March 2026 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