THE UPPER ROOM 24 APRIL 2024 DEVOTIONAL, WEDNESDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: God Provides Strength
TODAY’S READING
Hebrews 12:1-11
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
I loved coaching the eight-year-old Rangers Little League team. They learned an important life lesson during the season-ending tournament. The Rangers had yet to win a game, and the team and their parents couldn’t wait for the season to be over.
Fully expecting to lose, we played our first game of the tournament and won. The next day, we won again. The third game was against the best team in the league. They had dominated the league all season. Our team said, “We don’t stand a chance.” But I told them anything is possible, and that is why we play the game. We won the final game by a landslide.
As I contemplate the lesson the Rangers learned that day, I am reminded of our passage in Hebrews where we are instructed to run the race that has been marked for us. Although we face opposition, we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses and should not grow weary in our efforts. We must never give up or lose heart. When we face challenges that seem insurmountable, we need only to place our focus on God and God’s promises. Our God will provide the strength we need for what lies ahead.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, as we run our race, help us to fix our eyes on you and not grow weary. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When I focus on God, I will find renewed strength.
PRAYER FOCUS
Coaches of youth sports teams
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The Upper Room 24 April 2024 Devotional Message. 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. Read More