The Upper Room Devotional 7 March 2026, Saturday Message
Daily Routine
Steven Thompson (Iowa, USA)
Today’s Reading
Acts of the Apostles 18:18-23
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. – Acts 18:23 (NIV)
A year ago I experienced a debilitating stroke that sent me to the hospital for 16 days. This past year has been challenging, but I was fortunate not to lose the use of my right side. However, the stroke did severely weaken that side. I spent nearly two hours every weekday exercising to strengthen it. Some days the monotony of exercise was boring, but everyone told me that exercising was necessary to continue my recovery.
I was reading the above passage from Acts 18 and realized that Paul must have had times where his daily work felt monotonous. While Paul had some amazing and eventful times, those moments were built upon the routine portions of his life that were vital for his ministry.
After reading these verses, I was more motivated while doing my daily exercises. Seeing steady progress in my recovery, I realized that while God sometimes heals through miracles, more often God heals us through our daily routines. I give thanks that God gives us the strength and wisdom to carry them out.
Thought for the Day
My daily routine can be a source of spiritual growth.
Prayer Focus
Those in physical therapy
Today’s Prayer
Father God, we pray that you will enable us to carry on in doing your will, even when our daily work feels monotonous. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 7 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