THE UPPER ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 19 JULY 2024, FRIDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: Work and Rest
TODAY’S READING
Nehemiah 8:8-12
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
TODAY’S MESSAGE
I grew up on a farm, where responsibility and hard work were high priorities. These values were so highly prized that I still struggle with taking time and resources to spend on recreation and relaxation.
After studying the Bible, I came to realize that God often instructed the people to take time from their work to celebrate and enjoy life. We need times like this to rejuvenate ourselves so we can continue with our life’s occupation and our work for the Lord. We read in Mark 6:31-32 that even Jesus took his disciples away from ministering to a large crowd so they could be physically replenished.
After a revival during Nehemiah’s days, God’s people were instructed to eat, drink, and celebrate. Then Nehemiah adds, “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Replenishing our bodies with rest and our souls with nourishment are spiritual disciplines that Christians need to follow so that we maintain the strength we need to follow God’s call on our lives.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord God, provide us with nourishment, rest, and recreation so we can have the resources to serve you and others joyfully. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
We can’t provide joy for others if we have none to give.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those who need rest from their work
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 19 July 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