The Worst and the Best
- May 31, 2024
- 2 min read
The Upper Room Devotion for Friday, May 31, 2024, was written by Mark A. Carter of Oregon.
Scripture
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 7 he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. 9 For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.
Psalm 107:1-9 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
As we sat down for dinner, our grandson looked at the table and said, "Wow, we've got enough to feed the whole town." My wife and I looked at each other, remembering a time when the table was not so full and the whole town fed us. Setbacks and illness had pretty much destroyed our faith, and many times we lived on the charity of others, wondering when, or even if, things were going to get better.
But even the worst of times were also the best because we learned valuable lessons about ourselves, our neighbors, and most improtantly our God. We found a strength in our faith that we didn't have before, and we knew that God was working through others to show us that no matter how dark the times, God was always with us. We developed an attitude of thanksgiving, knowing that God would never give up on us.
Eventually we did get back on our feet, and what we went through became only a stark memory. But we will never forget what God did for us, and we will be forever grateful. God filled our table; but more importantly, God filled our lives.
Author's Prayer
Heavenly Father, remind us always to give thanks for who you are and for what you do every day. Amen.
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