Looking for God
Hello! Today, our scripture reading comes from the book of Nehemiah, a layperson born in exile and who became Cupbearer to the Persian King. When he heard about the troubles facing Jews who had returned to Jerusalem, he asked for permission to return there. He helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and helped lead the people there in a spiritual revival. Just one person can have a great impact. Hear these words from his prayer.
Nehemiah 1:10
They are your servants and your people. They are the ones whom you have redeemed by your great power and your strong hand.
What a comfort it is to know that, as God’s people, we have been and continue to be redeemed. Walking through this world, we have constant opportunities to make mistakes, and to be afraid, or ungrateful. When I find myself in any of these predicaments, I’ve learned to be looking for God. One day I was walking home through our little village. It was your typical misty English day, overcast, cool, windy. I was struggling with a situation that had no good answer, just going around and around in fear. For a few brief moments, I felt the sun warm my face, enjoyed how peaceful it felt, and realized that God was near. He was with me in this struggle. I’ll never forget that moment.
In the midst of trials, I try to look for God, sometimes in the words and actions of others who comfort and sustain me. I love to see God working for his children THROUGH his children.
Father hear our prayer: Lord we ask your help in seeing your movement in this world, in our communities and in our families. Help us look for your comfort and strength. Help us to give comfort and strength to those around us, the familiar and the stranger, and to seek forgiveness when we get it wrong. Let us show your love freely and abundantly. Amen.
This devotion was written and read by Leslie Ragland.
Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.
If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.
First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.
