The Upper Room Daily Devotional 31 July 2022 for Saturday Message || Birth Story
Read The Upper Room Daily Devotional 31 July 2022 Message by Karen Tarine (National Capital Region, Philippines)
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TOPIC: Green Pastures
TODAY’S READING
Matthew 11:25-30
KEY VERSE: [The Lord] makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. – Psalm 23:2-3 (NRSV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 31 July 2022 MESSAGE
It was important to me to finish college, but writing my senior thesis tested my perseverance. When my professor told me that I didn’t pass the class and would have to retake it, I felt like a failure. The thesis class was expensive. I couldn’t pay for it twice and was going to have to ask my parents for help. I knew that this would be a financial strain — my mom was already taking in laundry to help my father pay the bills, and my sister was in college as well.
I felt ashamed that I had to ask for money. And I was anxious and restless about what the future would hold. But one afternoon I opened my Bible and read from Psalm 23: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” I envisioned myself resting in green pastures with God. Through this scripture and in this vision, God gave me peace and quieted my soul. I was assured that God is in control and knows what I’m going through.
I did end up taking my thesis class again, thanks to the support of my family. With their help and God’s help, I passed the class and graduated from college.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the divine peace that surpasses understanding and for the support networks of friends and family that you bless us with. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I can rest with God in green pastures.
PRAYER FOCUS
Students with financial challenges
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 31 July 2022 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. Read More