The Upper Room Devotional for 4th March 2023

The Lord is waiting to be merciful to you, and will rise up to show you compassion. The Lord is a God of justice; happy are all who wait for him. – Isaiah 30:18 (CEB)

My two-year-old Australian Shepherd loves to play fetch. Over and over again she brings me the ball, or the bone, or even the sock to throw for her. If I am busy, she patiently waits to get my attention. As soon as I put a book down, or a commercial comes on TV, or I close the grill lid, she pops back up, dropping a toy at my feet for me to throw. She never grows tired of it.

This morning I am enjoying coffee in my study and trying to read my Bible as she yet again brings me the ball to throw down the hall. I tell her to leave me alone, then return to my reading, which, ironically, is about God’s patience — for which I am eternally grateful. It occurs to me that though we may continually bring all our problems and worries to God, God never, ever grows weary of us.

Even when we don’t make the time, God is always present, lovingly waiting for our attention. God is great indeed!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for being patient with us, even when we are impatient with you. We pray as your Son taught us, “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). Amen.

PRAYER FOCUS
For patience