The Upper Room Daily Devotional for Today – August 16, 2026, Sunday Message
The Upper Room Daily Devotional for Today – August 16, 2026, Sunday MessageClimbing and Seeing
John Robbins (Florida, USA)
Today’s Reading
Habakkuk 3:17-19
The Lord God is my strength. He will set my feet like the deer. He will let me walk upon the heights. – Habakkuk 3:19 (CEB)
I had always wanted to see the ancient archaeological site of Machu Picchu in Peru, and when a friend asked if I wanted to join him on a trip there, I jumped at the chance. When he suggested that we walk the Inca Trail to get to the site, I said yes, not knowing how difficult it would be to hike even short distances at that altitude.
When we got to the mountain just above Machu Picchu, we camped for the night. It was very cold, and we had to wear all the clothes we had with us just to stay warm. Enduring the cold was worth it, though, because we got to see amazing stars — including the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.
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Seeing the Southern Cross for the first time reminded me that God is always present. Though the stars had always been there, until that night I was not able to fully appreciate their magnificence.
We serve an amazing God who is always present with us, even when we are unaware of God’s presence. May we continue to believe without a need to see.
Thought for the Day
Creation allows me to experience God’s presence in inspiring ways.
Prayer Focus
Hikers and campers
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The World God Created
Today’s Prayer
Thank you, God, for new experiences that reveal to us the wonders of your creation. Amen.
The Upper Room Daily Devotional for Today 16th August 2026 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
