The Upper Room Daily Devotional 16th May 2023
The Upper Room 16th May 2023 Daily Devotional, Tuesday Message by Debra Celovsky (California, USA)
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TOPIC: Always on God’s Mind
TODAY’S READING
1 Kings 19:3-13
KEY VERSE: Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. – Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
While visiting my husband’s family in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, we were sitting in the backyard before dinner. Four-year-old Jesse skipped around the edges of our conversation, seemingly lost in his own little world. He squirmed as we ate our meal and then slipped out of the room. Suddenly Jesse reappeared and thrust a purple piece of construction paper at me with a rush of words. I was puzzled, so he spoke in a louder voice, “It’s a bird, and I love you.” Yes, two large eyes were recognizable as well as a very large beak.
That moment with a young boy reminded me of how often we nearly miss God’s voice saying much the same thing. “It’s sunrise over a new day, and I love you.” Or “It’s a terrible loss, but I am here and I love you.” It is the same quiet voice of the One who spoke to the despondent prophet Elijah in today’s scripture reading.
Our attention may be elsewhere when God hands us a love note. Worried or distracted, we may glance at the words without comprehension. Yet God persists. As the quoted scripture reminds us, we are always on God’s mind.
I framed Jesse’s picture and hung it by my desk. Its huge eyes and funny beak are a reminder to me that God’s eyes are on us. Firmly in God’s gaze, we can feel comforted and reassured.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us not to be distracted from your voice but always to be attentive to your Spirit. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Today I will listen for the quiet voice of God.
PRAYER FOCUS
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The Upper Room 16th May 2023, 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
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