THE UPRIGHT THUMB - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Sunday, August 8, 2016
by RBC Ministries

Details

THE UPRIGHT THUMB

READ:

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
-Genesis 6:8

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 74-76
Romans 9:16-33

According to African fable, four fingers and a thumb lived together on a hand. They were inseparable friends. One day, they noticed a gold ring lying next to them and conspired to take it. The thumb said it would be wrong to steal the ring, but the four fingers called him a self-righteous coward and refused to be his friend. That was just fine with the thumb; he wanted nothing to do with their mischief. This is why, the legend goes, the thumb still stands separate from the other fingers.
This tale reminds me that at times we may feel we're standing alone when wrongdoing surrounds us. In Noah's day, the earth was filled with violence; every thought in every heart was "evil continually" (Genesis 6:5,11). Yet "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (v.8). Fully devoted to God, Noah obeyed Him and built the ark. The Lord, in His grace, spared him and his family.
We too have been shown God's grace through His Son Jesus' life, death and resurrection. We have every reason to bring Him honour and stand strong for Him in our daily lives. He is always near, even abiding in us, so we never really stand alone. His "ears are open to [our] cry" (Psalm 34:15). - Jennifer Benson Schuldt
They show their colours when they stand
For what is true and right;
And those who venture all on God
Are pleasing in His sight. D. DeHaan

It's easy to stand with a crowd; it takes courage to stand alone.

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

The LORD is near
for Friday, December 27, 2013
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

THE NON-LYING GOD (2)

In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the ages of time, but has manifested in its own due season His word.
(Titus 1:2-3)

THE NON-LYING GOD (2)
I can lie. Titus could too, and so could the Cretans. But God can not lie. I can deceive. But...More

Open Heavens
for Wednesday, March 12, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

VICTORY OVER ENEMIES II

Paul in Philippians 3:10 prayed...More

The Word for today
for Sunday, September 2, 2019
by Bob and Debby Gass

When You Have A Vision

I was not disobedient to the vision.' Acts 26:19 NIV

When God gives you a vision for your life, you need to know how to:

(1) Hold it. Your vision is governed by a time frame: If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.' (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT) Some of us can...More

The Good Seed
for Saturday, October 29, 2023
by GBV Dillenburg GmbH

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (113)

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, him my Father will honour.
John 12:25.26.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John...More