The Upper Room Devotional 12 February 2022 | New Shoots

The Upper Room Devotional 12 February 2022

New Shoots
Olaiya Muyiwa Benralph (Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria)

TODAY’S READING
John 11:38-44

Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26 (NRSV)

Message On The Upper Room Devotional 12 February 2022

Beautiful Queen of the Night flowers grew in our yard. My family loved to stay up late and enjoy their pleasant fragrance. However, during last year’s dry season, a fire destroyed every plant around our house. We did not expect to be able to enjoy those flowers again, but as the rains started falling this year, new and beautiful shoots of this wonderful plant surprisingly sprouted in the yard.

The shoots had died in the fire, but the roots remained safe in the ground until the rains brought them new life. This made me think about how God, through Christ, renews us. When we are overcome by troubles or despair, we can trust God and patiently wait like the roots of our Queen of the Night flower. When we miss opportunities for growth, experience delays, or our prayers are not answered as we expect, we always have the hope of new life when we remain rooted in Christ.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us to trust in you even when we don’t see your presence. Grant us patience, for we know you can bring new life out of every situation. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matt. 6:9-13, KJV).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I trust that God can always bring new life.

PRAYER FOCUS
Those who are struggling to hope