The Upper Room 31 December 2021 Daily Devotional | Still on the Boat

The Upper Room 31 December 2021 Daily Devotional | Friday Message

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Still on the Boat
Jennifer Prince Kingsley (Alabama, USA)

TODAY’S READING
Mark 4:35-41

KEY VERSE: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. – Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)

The Upper Room 31 December 2021 Daily Devotional Message

I was preparing for an entrance exam. I had failed the exam the previous year, and I was very stressed. I was not sure what to do. My mom called me one day and realized I was scared. She reminded me of the story in our reading today. She said, “Jenny, Jesus may have appeared to be sleeping, but he was still on the boat!” With Jesus on the boat with his disciples, there was no chance that they would have drowned! That reminded me that whatever I may be facing, I am never alone. Christ is with me and will see me through.

I have often felt unsure of what to do in fearful situations. Sometimes it feels like Jesus is sleeping when I am in a storm. But I have learned that he is still on the boat with me even if he is silent in the moment. It may seem like I am going to drown, but Jesus is with me. Since coming to this realization, I have failed more exams and passed others; I have taken a few risks and second-guessed myself a million times. But through it all I have never forgotten that Jesus is still on the boat with me.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, sometimes our storms are so frightening that we forget you are with us. Help us to trust you to take us safely to the other shore. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Rather than focusing on the storm, I will focus on Jesus, who is always with me.

PRAYER FOCUS
Students preparing for exams