The Upper Room 7th January 2022 Daily Devotional | Friday Message
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Not Alone
Valerie Clark (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
TODAY’S READING
1 Kings 19:9-18
KEY VERSE: Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)
The Upper Room 7th January 2022 Daily Devotional Message
For followers of Christ, it can be lonely in the workplace, school playground, university campus, neighborhood group, or even in our family. When conversations feel unedifying or ungodly and we don’t want to laugh at rude jokes or join in gossip, we may feel like outsiders who don’t belong.
We see throughout the Bible that declaring our faith can lead to persecution or ridicule. For instance, Elijah felt this way when he stood against the wicked prophets of Baal. Once he defeated them, he was threatened by Queen Jezebel and fled into the wilderness. There, Elijah confessed to God that he felt alone in his stand for what was right. God reminded him that there were others who were loyal believers. He was not alone.
Jesus also told his followers that they would have times of loneliness, but he promised that he would never leave or forsake them. The same is true for us. We may have trouble in this world, but we can take courage because Jesus has overcome the world. Christ is with us whatever our circumstances.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us to remember your presence when we feel alone. We pray the prayer Jesus taught us, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I can have courage because God is with me.
PRAYER FOCUS
Someone who feels like an outsider
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