The Upper Room Devotion for Thursday, October 5, 2023, was written by Keith Honeyman of Western Cape, South Africa.
Scripture
16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
I am and 81-year-old architectural designer. When I went blind in one eye at age 70, I found manual drafting almost impossible. My son introduced me to computer-aided drafting, which was a new way of working for me but allowed me to continue my work. As I was learning to use the software, I often pushed wrong buttons and encountered problems. The remedy was almost always the same: restart the computer.
I have had serious problems - financial struggles, business or career setbacks, health issues, bereavements, illness, worry, and shame. But in such times the Holy Spirit reminds me: "Have peace, pray, and restart." And the greatest restart of my life was at age 16 when I knelt before the cross, confessed my sins and asked Jesus to restart my life in his covenent.
Pastor Anthony's Thoughts
Friends,
Keith's reflection offers us the opportunity to recount the times God has lead us to restart our journey of faith. When we find ourselves overwhelmed and struggling to regain our balance, we can find peace in God presence as we start anew.
Author's Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to restart our lives through the simple words that you tought us, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And foregive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (matt. 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.
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