The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Wednesday, 29 January 2014 - “Being Still” Read Psalm 31

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Wednesday, 29 January 2014 - “Being Still” Read Psalm 31: 19 O how abundant is your goodness

    that you have laid up for those who fear you,

and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,

    in the sight of everyone!

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them

    from human plots;

you hold them safe under your shelter

    from contentious tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,

    for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me

    when I was beset as a city under siege.

22 I had said in my alarm,

    “I am driven far[a] from your sight.”

But you heard my supplications

    when I cried out to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints.

    The Lord preserves the faithful,

    but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.

24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

    all you who wait for the Lord.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 31:22 Another reading is cut off

Be still and know that I am God.--Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

I am a full-time student with a full-time campus leadership position and a part-time retail job. I love the Lord, but recently I’ve noticed that my prayers are mostly those of exhaustion. I feel like I’m being pulled in a thousand different directions. In the midst of crying out in moments of desperation, I shoot “arrow prayers” into heaven — impersonal, inattentive requests such as “Lord, let me have a good day today” or “God, please help me with . . . everything!” Whenever I have a moment for what should be quality time with God, it is peppered with distractions: social media notifications, e-mail, phone calls, and text messages. In order to truly focus on God, I’m now compelled to put down the cellphone, close the laptop, and shut off all other distractions. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” I think God is just as eagerly trying to talk to me as I am to God. When I steal away in God’s presence without distraction and really try to focus on God during that time, I find that God has something to say. When I am still and silent, I am finally able to listen.--The Author-Abby Marten (Oklahoma, USA)

Thought for the Day: Am I too distracted to hear God’s voice?

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to commit our time and our attention to you so that we may serve you better. Amen.

Prayer focus: Busy people

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