The Upper Room Devotional 5 July 2026, Sunday Message
Moments of Peace
Leslie Williams (Ohio, USA)
Today’s Reading
Psalm 37:1-7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. – Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
Last summer, my car broke down on a remote road during a long-distance move. With no cell service and the nearest town miles away, I felt my anxiety rising.
In that forced pause, I had no choice but to be still. I sat on the hood of my car, watching the sky turn from blue to brilliant orange. The quiet was unsettling at first. I was used to constant motion and continuous productivity. But as the minutes passed, I began to notice the gentle sway of wildflowers in the breeze, the distant call of birds returning to their nests, the cool evening air on my skin.
An hour later, a kind farmer stopped to help, and soon I was back on my way. But that unexpected pause taught me something valuable about waiting. Psalm 37:7 counsels patient waiting while enduring challenging situations. My car’s breakdown showed me that waiting isn’t just an interruption; it’s an invitation to notice God’s presence.
Now, when facing delays — whether in traffic, at the grocery store, or in life’s bigger moments — I try to receive them as opportunities for stillness with God. Instead of filling every pause with phone scrolling or impatient sighs, I practice being present, turning these moments into sanctuaries of peace.
Thought for the Day
Today’s pause could be an invitation to notice God’s presence.
Prayer Focus
For patience as I wait
Today’s Prayer
Patient God, help us experience your presence in our moments of waiting. Transform our delays into opportunities to connect with you. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 5 July 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