The Upper Room 23 November 2021 Daily Devotional, Tuesday Message
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The Person in Front of You
Beverly Marshall-Goodell (Georgia, USA)
TODAY’S READING
John 8:1-11
KEY VERSE: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Upper Room | 23 November 2021 Daily Devotional Message
After moving to a suburb of a large metropolitan area, I felt discouraged and frightened by news stories of nearby criminal activity. It was hard to read about an armed robbery at a convenience store, a hit-and-run accident that injured a child, or a group following a delivery truck to steal packages.
My first response was to pray for the victims of these crimes. I could identify with the fear, grief, and anger they must have felt. However, the more I let my prayers be guided by the news stories, the more concern I developed for the perpetrators. I asked myself, “What circumstances would lead my neighbor to these kinds of actions?”
Second Peter 3 reminds me that God has been patient with my failings and deeply desires for all people to repent. I now feel called to pray not only for the victims but also for those who have committed crimes in my community.
I am also challenged to consider how I offer God’s love and forgiveness to the people I encounter daily. My church encourages its members to “love the person in front of you.” This means accepting people as they are instead of judging them. I try to remember these challenging words when I encounter people whose actions I do not understand. Then I ask Jesus to help me love them as he already does.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Jesus loves every person in my community.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Forgiving Christ, help us to love and pray for people whose actions we cannot comprehend. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
Victims and perpetrators of crime