THE UPPER ROOM ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 14th January 2023 by April McIntyre (England, United Kingdom). As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: How Long?
TODAY’S READING
Psalm 13:1-6
I trust in your unfailing love. – Psalm 13:5 (NIV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 14th January 2023 MESSAGE
Last autumn I planted four amaryllis bulbs. Three began to grow almost immediately, developing strong stems and sturdy buds, and I was able to give them to friends as Christmas gifts. The fourth bulb, however, sat in its pot and did nothing. Weeks went by with no sign of growth. I anxiously checked the soil and prodded the bulb. Still nothing. Should I throw it away? I wondered. I decided to wait. Then one day in mid-January, after all the other amaryllis flowers had bloomed and withered, a green tip appeared on the fourth bulb. After that day, the new shoot seemed to leap upward in its eagerness to grow.
We can’t always see what God is doing. Sometimes we don’t know whether God’s doing anything at all, and that can be difficult. Through the centuries, people of faith have cried out in times of darkness, “How long must we wait for help? Where is God? Has God heard my prayers? Does God care?”
The late-blooming amaryllis gives me hope. God does care. God is listening. Although we may not see it, life may be stirring deep down in hidden places. We can fret about our circumstances, or we can cry out to God whose love is unfailing and wait to see that first glimpse of green.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father God, help us to remember that you are always with us, even in our waiting. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Even when I can’t see it, God is at work.
PRAYER FOCUS
People with depression
READ MORE
More From April McIntyre
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. Read More