The Upper Room Devotion for Tuesday, March 5, 2024, was written by V. Ronald Levis of Uttar Pradesh, India.
Scripture
1 I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of perdition assailed me; 5 the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. 7 Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. 8 Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. 9 He bowed the heavens, and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. 10 He rode on a cherub, and flew; he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water. 12 Out of the brightness before him there broke through his clouds hailstones and coals of fire. 13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice. 14 And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings, and routed them. 15 Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
Psalm 16:1-15 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
After graduation, I was looking forward to my dream job of joining the Defense Force to serve my nation. Unfortunately, I did not get a good enough score to be elegible. So I pursued my master's degree and became eligible to take the entrance exam - it felt like my last chance to make or break my dream career. My family and I prayed for my interview and other tests, asking that I would be selected for a job. With God's grace, I was selected.
During training, I started to lose hope that I would not make it through. But God comforted me with confidence and strength to overcome my situation. Against the odds, I made it through, bringing joy to me, my family, and my community. God never leaves us in our struggles. When we depend on God, our rock and strong fortress, we find the hope and perseverance to wait patiently on God's deliverance.
Pastor Anthony's Thoughts
Friends,
Mr. Levis' reflection offer us a moment to consider how we deal with disappointments. Do we shrink into self pity, sorrow, and frustration, or do we strengthen our resolve and trust in God?
Author's Prayer
Faithful God, thank you for the ways you comfort and guide us through our struggles. Give us hope and patience as we trust in your will for our lives. Amen.
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