The Upper Room Devotional – 18th January 2026, Sunday Message
Be Still
Tamala Dykes Paxton (Delaware, USA)
Today’s Reading
Psalm 46:1-7, 10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. – Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
I was resting in a hospital bed after giving birth to our second child. I was tired, sore, and very hungry; it was 10 o’clock at night, and I had not eaten all day. At least I had been able to hold my baby girl for a few minutes in the delivery room, and she looked perfect! But as the minutes ticked away, I began to feel anxious: They should have brought her to me by now. What if something has happened? What is going on? I searched for the call button, but it was out of reach. As panic washed over me, Psalm 46:10 came to my mind.
I realized I just needed to be still and seek God’s presence in that moment. I took several deep breaths, closed my eyes, and the most amazingly peaceful feeling came over me. I felt God’s presence in a way I had never felt it before. I knew then that God was with me and that whatever might happen, I would be all right because God was there.
My daughter was fine, but I will always remember those few moments as transformational in my walk of faith. If we seek to be still in God’s presence when we are challenged by life’s unexpected or delayed events, we will know God’s peace beyond our understanding.
Thought for the Day
God’s peaceful presence can help me in moments of anxiety.
Prayer Focus
New mothers
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, help us always to know that you are ever-present in our lives. In trust, we open ourselves to you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 18th January 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
