The Upper Room 19 November 2021 Daily Devotional, Friday Message
Click To Read Previous The Upper Room Daily Devotional
Trusting God
Carol Macwan (Gujarat, India)
TODAY’S READING
Exodus 17:1-7
KEY VERSE: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSV)
I had applied for a professional course at my university, but my name wasn’t on the first provisional list of candidates chosen. When I saw this, I became anxious and blamed myself for foolishly not applying to other universities. Finally when I felt there was no way I would be accepted, I fasted and prayed. To my surprise, God heard my prayers on the very first day of my fast. I was selected in the second provisional list. I felt sheepish that I had been complaining for no reason. This was a miracle God was already about to perform!
The Israelites had a similar experience when God brought them to Rephidim. Instead of enjoying their new freedom, they complained about the lack of water. They started grumbling and complaining to Moses, rather than trusting that God who had led them out of Egypt would sustain them. As a result of the complaining, Moses named the place “testing” and “complaining.” Maybe had they waited patiently and trusted God, they would still have enjoyed the miracle of water gushing from the rock at Horeb. Then the place could instead have been named “trusting” and “rejoicing.” In difficult situations, instead of putting God to the test, we can trust that God will care for us.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God sees my need and will always answer.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those without access to clean water
TODAY’S PRAYER
Help us, Lord, to trust you always. Amen.
READ MORE
More From Carol Macwan
© Copyright 2021 The Upper Room