The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Tuesday, February 2014 -” A Lesson in Communication” Read Psalm 139

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Tuesday,  February 2014 -” A Lesson in Communication” Read Psalm 139: The Inescapable God

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

    you discern my thoughts from far away.

3 You search out my path and my lying down,

    and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue,

    O Lord, you know it completely.

5 You hem me in, behind and before,

    and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

    it is so high that I cannot attain it.

The psalmist wrote, “Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.-—Psalm 139:4 (NRSV)

Once I was asked to go to the hospital to meet with an elderly woman who had lost her ability to speak. When I entered her room, she smiled warmly and told me with a wave of her hand to come closer and sit down. Then she pointed to a little red book of daily Bible verses on her table. “Would you like me to read the verse for the day for you?” I asked. She nodded, and I began to read these words from Matthew 12:36: “I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter.” Such cruel words for her in this situation, I thought. When I stopped reading, she slowly lifted her hands, clasped as in prayer. Then she moved her hands in the air in an up-and-down motion. What a strong image she gave of praying to God! “Do you mean that God can hear your thoughts in prayer?” I asked. She nodded, took my hand, and squeezed it gently. I had been taught a most beautiful lesson: God understands our prayers in every circumstance and can show us how to share love with those we meet, even when we have lost the ability to speak.--The Author-

Sari-Marita Häkkinen (Capital Region, Finland)

Thought for the Day: God hears our prayers even when we cannot find words to speak.

Prayer: Dear Lord, show us this day how to reach others with your love. Amen.

Prayer focus: People without the power of speech

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