THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 5TH FEBRUARY 2025, WEDNESDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 5th February 2025 written by Roberto Rentería (Tamaulipas, México)
TOPIC: An Example to Follow
Today’s Reading
Luke 6:32-36
Love your neighbor as yourself. – Matthew 22:39 (NIV)
TODAY’S MESSAGE
As I drove toward the entrance to the industrial park where I work, there was heavy traffic on both sides of the street. I saw a woman in another car who wanted to make a U-turn, but no one on my side of the road was allowing her to turn. At the risk of frustrating the drivers behind me, I decided to let her make the turn and signaled for her to go ahead.
I watched her make the turn, feeling good about my kind action and expecting she would wave to express her thanks, but she didn’t. My first thought was, What an ungrateful person! Then I paused to think more about what happened: Why did I let the woman make the turn? What was my motive for that nice gesture toward a stranger? Sadly, I had to admit that I had not acted out of generosity but rather to feel, if only briefly, the satisfaction of believing that I am a good person who did something good for someone. And I was waiting for acknowledgment in return.
How easy it is to love when others reciprocate. But it is quite another matter when love or kindness is not reciprocated. Jesus is our ultimate example of selfless love — he gave his life for us. Today’s scripture from Luke is a reminder and invitation to follow Jesus’ example without waiting for anything in return.
Today’s Prayer
Continue to inspire and prompt us, O Lord, to follow your example and live out your commandment to love one another, not because of anything we might receive in return but simply because you loved us first. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Wherever I am and in all that I do, I will follow the example of Jesus.
Prayer Focus
Drivers in my town
The Upper Room Devotional 5th February 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