The Upper Room Devotional for 15th April 2023
Welcome!!! The word of God is food to the spirit man. As you read The Upper Room Devotional Today, may the word of the Lord powerfully impact on you.
TODAY’S TOPIC: EVERLASTING LOVE
April McIntyre (England, United Kingdom)
TODAY’S READING
Matthew 9:9-13
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God doesn’t see me as imperfect, just one of the family.
The Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” – Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
Binky was our Yorkshire terrier. He wasn’t the typical tiny, silky, yapping creature you might imagine. He had been the largest of his litter. His tail had not been docked; his ears flopped. Despite his pedigree, according to breed standards he was a failure. To us, however, he was a real character: barking at the mail carrier with a big dog bark, chasing cats from the garden, and always ready for another walk. And sometimes he would glare and show his teeth at us. Nevertheless, he was part of the family, and we loved him.
We all need to love and be loved. But even if we have been Christians for years, we can struggle to believe that God really loves us. In our Gospel passage today, Jesus shows the nature of God’s everlasting love when he seeks out those who have been rejected by society. Jesus spends quality time with them and calls them to follow him.
When we allow Jesus to lead us to God, God accepts us, however imperfect or “different” we may be. God patiently heals our deepest hurts and hang-ups because we are all part of God’s beloved family.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, we come to you today with all our hurts and failures. Help us to know that you accept us and love us always. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those who feel unworthy of God’s love
