Beth Duncan

August 7, 2024

Regaining my footing (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:7a My heart, O God, is steadfast,

I am a “why” kind of gal. I like to understand things–why they are the way they are, why they happen the way they do, etc. Ironically, the first line of my devotional reading this morning was: “Understanding will never bring you peace.” And yesterday’s devotion from my church included this gem: “Why does our faith only tend to really kick in after all other options are expended and we’re left with panic?”

Psalm 57:7b …my heart is steadfast;

Psalm 57 begins in a bit of a panic. David doesn’t understand and he doesn’t feel safe. Yet by the end of Psalm 57, he’s regained his footing. He knows where he’s rooted, and his heart is steadfast in the Lord. In the words of my friend Zac, who wrote yesterday’s devo for church, “Think of how differently you could approach everyday life, with the confidence knowing you can lean into any storm, without fear, with the faith that God is with you.”

Psalm 57:7c …I will sing and make music.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the knowledge that You are with me always. Help me to center my heart on You, to be steadfast in You. Help me not to panic when things seem to be veering out of control, when chaos seems to be encroaching. Help me to live boldly and with confidence, “knowing [I] can lean into any storm, without fear, with the faith that God is with [me].” Amen.

Psalm 57:8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

Have a blessed day.

August 6, 2024

Sinking my roots in Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:6a They spread a net for my feet—

The first thought that comes to mind when I read verse 6 is Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” Although, when the quote is capped here, it almost seems to indicate that I am always right and possibly God’s favorite. But I’m pretty sure that God doesn’t play favorites, and I’m certain that I’m not always right. God also doesn’t have a magic wand that instantly makes everything go my way.

Psalm 57:6b …I was bowed down in distress.

However, God does care about me deeply and wants my faith to grow and mature, and He can use all situations to help me trust Him more deeply. In that way, He can use all things for good, He can use all things for my good and His glory by helping me dig my roots deeper into Him no matter the circumstances.

Psalm 57:6c …They dug a pit in my path—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You can and do use all things for my good and Your glory. Thank You that even when others intend harm, You can use situations for good by allowing me to sink my roots deeper into You in every storm. Help me to trust You. Always. Amen.

Psalm 57:6d …but they have fallen into it themselves.

Have a blessed day.

August 5, 2024

Praising His holy name…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:4a I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—

What strikes me in verse 4 today is the vivid imagery: “in the midst of lions,” “among ravenous beasts,” “teeth are spears and arrows,” “tongues are sharp swords.” There is a palpable sense of danger here. And yet….

Psalm 57:4b …men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

And yet… In verse 5, God is exalted. His glory is praised. That’s the default that I want to have: even with a palpable sense of danger, even in the valleys, even when life is going sideways, I want to praise His holy name. I’m better at it than I was, but I’m not as good at it as I hope to be. Jesus, Help me.

Psalm 57:5a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereign; therefore, I can praise You even in the chaos because You are still with me, still in control, still ultimately victorious. Sometimes that’s hard to see and believe, but it’s always true. Help me to live that truth. Help me to praise Your name, always. Amen.

Psalm 57:5b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

August 4, 2024

Trusting Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

As I was pursuing Pinterest emails this morning, I came across this phrasing of Psalm 112:7, “She confidently trusts the Lord to take care of her.” The NIV version of that verse is, “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” Both versions speak to what David is saying in this morning’s verses.

Psalm 57:3a He sends from heaven and saves me,

Google defines trust as: (n) firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trusting humans can be difficult. Trusting God seems like it should be easier, but my fear, worry, anger, etc etc tells me that for me at least, it’s not as easy as it should be. Trusting Him–first, always, completely–is definitely something that God’s working with me on.

Psalm 57:3b …rebuking those who hotly pursue me—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You know me completely, faults and all, and You love me fiercely anyway. Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, exactly as I am. Thank You for working with me on the areas that I need to give over to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 57:3c …God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

Have a blessed day.

August 3, 2024

Conversation with God…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:1a Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,

I have seen church signs that read: When all else fails, pray. I always thought it odd that you would wait until all else had failed to try prayer. But I think that’s human nature. When times are good, prayer is not necessarily the first thing on our minds. But when everything feels like it’s falling apart, prayer is our default.

Psalm 57:1b …for in you I take refuge.

I’m just as bad, though I like to think that, sometimes, I’m a little better than I used to be. Maybe I’m fooling myself there. But, thankfully, our God doesn’t keep score. If he did, the scales would be so far out of balance that we’d never be able to right them. I am grateful that He’s always there. He loves us, and He wants a relationship with us–even with all our flaws.

Psalm 57:1c …I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

Precious Savior, Forgive me when I treat You like You are just waiting for a word from me. Help me to make conversation with You a daily, hourly, moment-by-moment conversation, not simply a lifeline when I feel things are falling apart. Thank You for loving me deeply, fiercely, eternally. Help me draw closer to You. Always. Amen.

Psalm 57:1d …until the disaster has passed.

Have a blessed day.

August 2, 2024

Progress…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:13a Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ,

Holy Father, Thank You for using this scripture to bring to the fore an issue that I know I still need to work on. Thank You that I am more generous now than I used to be. Thank You that there are times where I don’t weigh the cost before giving. That’s progress. Help me, always, to recognize and celebrate the progress, no matter how small.

2 Corinthians 9:13b …and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

Beloved Lord, Thank You for reminding me of the work that I still need to do in the area of generosity. I know you don’t want me to beat myself up, but You do want to remake me in Your image. I want that, too. Help me to live into Your grace and generosity while being gentle with myself and my slow progress.

2 Corinthians 9:14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the example of generous living, generous giving that You provide. Help me to breathe in Your grace, breathe in Your peace, keep moving closer to You, one step at a time. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Have a blessed day.

August 1, 2024

Living generously…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

I want my life to be a testament to God’s goodness. I want my giving to reflect the generosity of my Savior. I want my generosity to “result in thanksgiving to God” (v11b). This desire is one of the many reasons I need to get over myself when it comes to living generously.

2 Corinthians 9:11a You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,

God loves a cheerful giver. He also supplies all my needs. So my tight hold on things I am being called to let go of is akin to my fear and worry over things. It feels like a way to keep myself safe, but it is really one more way that I try to maintain control over my life–a life that is and always will be in God’s control, not mine.

2 Corinthians 9:11b …and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Precious Savior, I see my hesitation in giving for what it is–me trying to exert control over my life. But having You as my center means that *I* do not need that control. You’ve got me. You’ve got my life. You CAN be trusted. Help me to live a generous life for You. Help me to trust even when I am afraid. Help me not to be afraid because I know YOU are in control. I trust You. Help me live that trust. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Have a blessed day.

July 31, 2024

The abundance of God…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

When I heard today’s verses during the sermon on Sunday, I knew that this was where I was being called to go this week. The image of standing there, hands extended, fists clenched tightly still comes to mind when I read these verses. It doesn’t look good. It doesn’t feel good. And I don’t want it to be my default reaction.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Verse 8 is where I need to live with this issue: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” I know that it’s true, I know God will supply all my needs, but still I hold on so tightly to things. Jesus, Help me.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Precious Savior, My head knows the truth of 2 Corinthians 9:8, but my heart has trouble believing that I don’t need to squirrel away resources so that I don’t have to do without. I cannot point others to you with clenched fists. I know this. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Have a blessed day.

July 30, 2024

God loves a cheerful giver…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:4a For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—

I remember a page from a Precious Moments coloring book when I was young: Two smiling kiddos, a boy and a girl, with a wagon full of adorable puppies, ringing a doorbell, presumably to give said puppies away, to share the cuteness with others. The caption read: God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:4b …would be ashamed of having been so confident.

I spoke yesterday about my scarcity mindset. I have no idea what that issue is rooted in, but it often causes my giving to be less than cheerful. There are lots of careful calculations involved. It’s not that I don’t want to be generous. I do. I just don’t want to be without, either. Even to type that statement makes me feel terrible, and I know God is calling me, yet again, to deal with this issue.

2 Corinthians 9:5a So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised.

Precious Savior, Thank You that You supply all my needs. Thank You for once again bringing this matter of cheerful giving to my attention. Help me to deal with it so that I can be a cheerful giver, so that I can give without worrying about whether I will be lacking. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:5b Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Have a blessed day.

July 29, 2024

Stuck in a scarcity mindset…. (devo reflection)

2 Corinthians 9:1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people.

Commentary says that verse 1 might be Paul being sarcastic, that if there had been no need to write these things, he would not have done so, but that since he *did* write these things, that shows that the Corinthians did need the reminder. It makes me chuckle to think of an apostle as sarcastic.

2 Corinthians 9:2a For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give;

But I understand the Corinthians just a smidge better when I see that they, too, struggle with being generous. It’s not that I don’t want to be generous, it’s that *I* don’t want to have to do without. This is a side of myself that I have struggled with for a long time, and I haven’t yet won the battle. Jesus, Help me.

2 Corinthians 9:2b …and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

Precious Savior, Thank You that in You, I have everything that I could ever need. Help me to grow in love and generosity towards others. Help me not to get stuck in a scarcity mindset, afraid that I may have to do without if I share with others. YOU supply all my needs. Always. Help me. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.

Have a blessed day.