The Upper Room 14 December 2021 Daily Devotional | Tuesday Message
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God’s Will?
Becky Virgalla (Connecticut, USA)
TODAY’S READING
Romans 8:35-39
KEY VERSE: God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. – Psalm 46:1 (CEB)
The Upper Room 14 December 2021 Daily Devotional Message
On December 14, 2012, a man forced his way into Sandy Hook School in Connecticut, shooting and killing 20 first-graders and six adults. I survived that massacre, but I saw and heard things that day that no one should ever have to experience.
At church, friends would ask me, “How can I help?” I would answer, “Please pray for me because I can’t.” I was angry with God, wondering, How could it be God’s will for these children to be killed? Why was I spared at age 60? It made no sense. My faith was tested, and I struggled greatly.
A year later, my husband and I participated in a book study at church. The discussion focused on understanding God’s will and trusting God’s ways. The study brought me great clarity because it helped me to realize that it wasn’t God’s will for 26 people to die. Rather, our loving God has given us all free will, and sin often prevails. I no longer blamed God. I understood that pure evil entered the school that day.
I couldn’t have come this far in my trauma journey without my family, my friends, and my faith in our loving God. Since that horrific day, I have learned how resilient God has made us. I have also learned never to take life for granted.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, help us to be kinder, gentler, more connected to one another. Surround us with your love. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Even in my darkest hour, God will never abandon me.
PRAYER FOCUS
Victims of gun violence
