Morning Devotional 031226 The Presence of the Lord

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

March 12, 2026

Isaiah 30:19-22

19 People in Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. God will certainly be merciful to you. Hearing the sound of your outcry, God will answer you. 20 Though the Lord gives you the bread of distress and the water of oppression, your teacher will no longer hide, but you will see your teacher. 21 If you stray to the right or the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: “This is the way; walk in it.” 22 You will defile your silver-plated idols and your gold-covered priestly vest, and you will scatter them like menstrual rags. “Get out,” you will say to them.

Good Morning, rise up and listen to God’s direction.

Each day I arise and thank God for another day. Whether the day is bright, sunny, and filled with hope, or dark, gloomy, and filled with apprehension, I know that God is with me. When I’m unsure, God speaks to me and urges me forward. 

We will have days when it is easier to sit and linger in our despair, but in those times, God comes, sits with us, and offers us a hand. No words pass between us, just the presence of the Holy Spirit sitting and holding space. 

Some of our challenges are fixable, while others are not. Our human bodies have an expiration date, but God promises us new life that begins when our old life expires. We are not to focus on the decay, but on the joy that will fill the void vacated. Until that day comes, we are to live each day to the fullest and glean every bit of happiness that is offered to us.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we will rise in glory when God calls us home. What a day of rejoicing that will be. 

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Thank you for honoring us with your presence. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Pay close attention to how God is responding and trust God’s leading.

God makes everything beautiful in his time! Pastor Liz