The Upper Room 16 February 2024 Devotional: Welcomed Back
Read and Study Today’s The Upper Room Daily Devotional for February 16th, 2024 Message written by Eui-mo Yang (Seoul, South Korea). God bless you as you study today! Please share with your friends and loved ones.
TODAY’S READING
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I will look for Jesus as eagerly as he looks for me.
The father said, “This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate. – Luke 15:24 (NIV)
Graduating from university, studying abroad, earning a PhD, striving to be a good Christian — everything was going smoothly. However, at times I had experienced ups and downs. I worked days and nights without a break, repeatedly meeting with failures, and I became depressed. Eventually I moved to a small town where I began to work for a kimchi manufacturing company. I felt like I was starting from nothing. Because I am clumsy and was inexperienced in manual labor, I often received criticism from my co-workers. All I could do was pray. I was weary from my repeated failures. But the Lord welcomed me with open arms even though I had lived like the prodigal son for decades. (See Lk. 15:11-32.)
From that time, my life was changed. My thinking became peaceful and positive, I praised more and felt more gratitude, and when faced with a false accusation I was able to smile and carry on. These changes resulted from the love and acceptance of the Lord.
No matter what we do, the Lord embraces us. Jesus came to save sinners, and he looks for every lost sheep until he finds it. Those who wander away from the Lord can always come back. The Lord welcomes everyone with open arms.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for waiting for us and forgiving our sins. May all people recognize your love and turn to you. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
People struggling with failure
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