The Upper Room Devotional for 30th December 2022
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.
Topic: Our Shield
Susan E. Brooks (Kentucky, USA)
TODAY’S READING
Psalm 3:1-8
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Worship can move me from worry to peace.
The Upper Room Devotional For 30th December 2022
You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. – Psalm 3:3 (NIV)
Years ago, my family moved to Mozambique to do mission work. The poverty we witnessed often broke our hearts, but singing with our neighbors in church always moved us from worry to faith and trust. One of my favorite worship songs that we learned from our Mozambican friends translates to something like “Daniel prayed to God, and the lions licked him.” In the song’s original language, the rhythm is energizing, and the catchy tune always encourages singing and dancing.
The song invites us to celebrate the power of God that can shut the lion’s mouth. As the psalmist writes, God is our shield and defender, the lifter of our heads. When we focus on our Creator’s power, our worries are put in perspective.
Being in communion with God in worship is one way to stay focused on our Creator despite the troubles we face. When I sing in church, I see myself as a little girl and God as my loving parent who lifts my head high. I gaze into my Creator’s eyes and trust that nothing can harm me as long as I am surrounded by God, my shield.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, help us to stay focused on you in a world full of worries. Amen.
PRAYER FOCUS
The people of Mozambique
