The Upper Room Devotion for Friday, May 5, 2023, was written by Kim Louise Clarke of Alberta, Canada.
Scripture
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:8-11 NRSV
GOD’S HELPING WAYS
One day a woman in our senior living community hurried down to my office. As the assistant manager, I listened as she told me about the sudden spray of water coming from under her bathroom sink. Then I ran up to the second floor with the woman following. But instead of going into her apartment, I entered the one next door. The woman protested that I was entering the wrong apartment. I said, “I know,” and proceeded to enter her neighbor’s apartment anyway. I knew nothing about plumbing, but what I did know made all the difference.
Earlier that morning I had phoned for a plumber, and I knew he was working on a problem in the neighboring apartment. I suspected the two problems were related, but more importantly, I knew I could immediately produce a plumber to deal with the woman’s situation. I could easily empathize with the woman’s confusion. So often I do not see the whole picture. When we give our problems over to God, we may wonder: How will God help? Why is this happening instead of that? We often have our own ideas about how to solve a problem, but God sees the big picture. We can trust God to guide us through.
Thoughts
Friends,
Who are the most trustworthy people in your life? How have you come to trust and rely upon them? It is not easy to trust others, especially if our trust has been taken for granted. Yet, when we find people who consistently demonstrate we can trust and rely upon them, our lives become tremendously enriched. Kim’s reflection reminds us that we can always trust God. God is dependable and just, seeking the best for us in all situations and circumstances. At times, it may seem like God is hindering our progress or blocking our pursuit of things we desire, but God is actually offering us protection. God sees the big picture and what feels like hindering and blocking is actually steering us clear of hardship, trauma, heartache, and traps. May we all resolve to trust God more today, recognizing that God has our best interest in mind.
-Pastor Anthony
Prayer
Thank you, God, for all the ways you help us. Your ways are better than ours. Help us trust you today. Amen.
- Kim Louise Clarke