THE UPPER ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 17 AUGUST 2024, SATURDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: The Father’s Hands
Today’s Reading
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:28 (NRSVUE)
TODAY’S MESSAGE
When I was about four years old, my dad gave me a coloring book and a box of crayons. He sat down with me and showed me how to color the pictures. I tried as best as I could to color within the lines, but it was not easy for a four-year-old.
However, Dad was patient, and his hand was steady. He took a crayon and colored well with no marks outside the lines. “I can’t do it the way you do it!” I sighed. “Just practice and you’ll succeed eventually,” he said and gave me a hug.
Recalling this moment from my childhood, I think of Jeremiah’s message about the potter’s hands. The potter reshaped the clay until he was satisfied with his work. I also think of the words Jesus spoke about his followers: “No one will snatch them out of my hand.” I know I am safe in the love of Jesus. The steady hands of God’s grace will shape my life from day to day.
Today’s Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for your loving hands. Help us to be willing to let you lead us each step of our life’s journey. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Followers of Jesus are safe in his hands.
Prayer Focus
Fathers and sons
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 17 August 2024 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