The Upper Room Devotional 1 March 2026, Sunday Message
Spring Is on the Way
Carol Westerlund (Uusimaa, Finland)
Today’s Reading
Psalm 139:1-12
Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. – Psalm 139:12 (NIV)
I live in the far north, and as winter sets in, the nights become long and all of creation seems to lie dormant. People often feel downcast. You read it in their faces. You see it in the way they brace against the wind and pass by looking at the ground, their focus only on reaching their destination.
Feeling the onslaught of this weariness, I decided to go forward for prayer one Sunday morning. The pastor prayed for me and then paused. I still remember what he said next: “Spring is on the way!” He was right. Skies eventually became blue and days got longer. People started to smile and stopped to talk in the streets.
It can be like that in our spiritual lives as well. Jesus never said the narrow way would be easy. On the contrary. He told us to expect trouble and warned us that the way ahead would be demanding. But Jesus promised that he would be with us all the way. What a comfort it is to know that we are not expected to walk this path alone.
And that is how we find joy even when it is still winter. Through faith we hold on to the assurance that the Lord is with us, and spring is on the way.
Thought for the Day
“For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone” (Song of Sol. 2:11, KJV).
Prayer Focus
Those affected by seasonal depression
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More from Carol Westerlund
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, help us to keep our eyes on you, knowing that you are with us even when the night is long. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 1 March 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