The Upper Room Devotional 24 March 2026, Tuesday Message
Never Give Up
Nancy K. Overgaard (Minnesota, USA)
Today’s Reading
1 Corinthians 4:9-13
My beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NRSVUE)
As I approached the halfway house to lead a Bible study, I felt discouraged and was struggling with self-doubt. Recently, a church member had harshly criticized a sermon I preached, and I was shaken by her criticism.
Upon entering the house, I was met by one of the residents. Beaming, he handed me a card. “This is for you,” he said. Other men from the Bible study group had gathered around to watch my response. Unknowingly, he had chosen the perfect card for what I was struggling with. Printed on the outside was 1 Corinthians 15:58. Inside he had written, “It may be a strange way to say it, but you care. The day of our Bible study we know you will be there. You pray for us. You open the scriptures to us. You care.” How humbling. How rejuvenating. How vital it is to show up and not give up!
The apostle Paul had plenty of reasons to give up. Not only did he face sharp criticism for sharing the gospel, he was brutally beaten, cursed, and slandered. Yet he kept going. It is imperative that those entrusted with the gospel prove faithful (see 1 Cor. 4:1-2). When we feel discouraged, the Bible offers examples of people who persevered, inspiring us to do the same.
Thought for the Day
In the face of criticism, scripture gives me courage to persevere.
Prayer Focus
Pastors feeling discouraged
The Upper Room Devotional 24 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