THE UPPER ROOM 20 MARCH 2024 DEVOTIONAL, WEDNESDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room 20 March 2024 Devotional Message wriiten by Paul Kurpengmund Anda (East Sepik, Papua New Guinea)
TOPIC: Guiding Light
TODAY’S READING
Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
KEY VERSE: You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. – Matthew 5:14 (NRSVUE)
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Traveling on a ship at night gave me a new appreciation for the power of light. The lights on the ship shone brightly, but the open sea was dark and scary. I could not see anything, but I imagined the vast body of water. It made me feel helpless.
But then in the early morning, as we neared the port, we could see the light from a lighthouse on a hill. Through the darkness, the light in the distance guided our ship toward the port. That beacon made my heart leap with joy and gave me a sense of comfort.
Like a lighthouse in the dark, Christians can show God’s light to weary souls through our actions. Kindness allows people to experience the goodness of the love and life of our Savior Jesus Christ. When people are lost in the open sea of life’s struggles, the light of Christ shines bright. Many are weary, longing for rest and comfort. We can be a beacon for them, guiding them to find comfort in God.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, help us to keep our lights shining amid the challenges we face so that we may help others find their way. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When I show kindness and love to others, I bring light to their lives.
PRAYER FOCUS
Sailors
The Upper Room 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. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.