The Upper Room Devotional 22 May 2026, Friday Message
A Song in My Heart
Rebecca L. T. Cho (Massachusetts, USA)
Today’s Reading
Psalm 57:1-11
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. – Psalm 57:5 (NIV)
Years ago, there were some serious challenges at the church where I served as pastor. I was extremely stressed and had trouble sleeping and eating. My physical well-being suffered, and I was often exhausted.
I turned to God for help, but I struggled to find the right words or to have the energy even to pray. However, I found great comfort in praying the Psalms. Many of them spoke to me, but Psalm 57 became a constant companion. Every morning I would read the words, sometimes multiple times. The words resonated with my experience, and I could relate to the psalmist’s feeling of being in the midst of lions. Verse 8 made me feel hopeful: “Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”
During this difficult time when I could barely drag myself out of bed, I longed for a day when I would “awaken the dawn” and make music. Then one morning something amazing happened to me. As I read Psalm 57 and got to the refrain in verses 5 and 11, God put a song in my heart and on my lips. I found myself singing those words to an unfamiliar tune. I truly felt God’s presence in that moment. Now when I need a reminder of God’s care for me, I read Psalm 57, and I sing the refrain as God taught me to sing it.
Thought for the Day
God is there for me in difficult times.
Prayer Focus
Pastors
Today’s Prayer
Loving God, thank you for your constant presence with us, especially during life’s challenges. Help us to remember that you never leave us or forsake us. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 22 May 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