The Upper Room Devotional – 25th July 2025: A Dry, Hot Summer

THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 25TH JULY 2025, FRIDAY MESSAGE

Read The Upper Room Devotional 25th July 2025 written by Elizabeth J. Hyde (Ohio, USA)

TOPIC: A Dry, Hot Summer

Today’s Reading
Mark 4:3-8

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. – Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

We were talking after church with our friend about the extreme heat this summer in Ohio that caused trees and flowers to wither. Farm crops were hit especially hard. My friend’s family farm is known for producing the best sweet corn in northwest Ohio, but this year the crop was disappointing.

Because we had a very wet spring, the roots of the corn plants were not stressed enough to seek deeper water. Now they were not prepared for the dry heat of summer because their roots were too shallow.

This made me think about my life. When all is going well, do I seek to strengthen my faith by digging deep into the word of God? Do I pursue a deeper relationship with God so I will be prepared for seasons of drought? Are the roots of my faith deep or shallow?

We will all experience seasons of plenty and seasons of drought, but we will be prepared for these seasons when we seek God’s word as our guide and trust God’s presence with us.

Today’s Prayer
Dear God, help us to seek you in all aspects of our lives so that we may be grounded in your love and bear fruit in all situations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thought for the Day
In seasons of want and seasons of plenty, I will remain rooted in God’s word.

Prayer Focus
Farmers

The Upper Room Devotional 25th July 2025, 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