8.5.2026 - Jody Duncan

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5

Psalm 27:13

God gives us his goodness

Today we read Psalm 27:13. Read it now or after this devotion. What does it tell us about God’s goodness in THIS world?

Among the biblical concepts I’ve most wrestled with is how much our hearts and minds should be focused on God’s Kingdom, and how much we should concern ourselves with this world -- the ‘land of the living’ in the Psalmist’s words.

Jesus, during his ministry, certainly encouraged his followers to keep their eyes turned toward God’s Kingdom.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:19-20

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:25-26

“Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail.” Luke 12:33

“My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36

For many years, I was unsure as to how to follow these instructions from Jesus. How could I not worry about the concerns of daily life? How could I ignore my bodily needs and those of my family? Taken to its extreme, being like birds who don’t sow or reap leads to hunger and deprivation!

I finally came to understand that Jesus didn’t tell us to ignore the chores and deeds we must perform to sustain our earthly bodies. Rather, he told us not to WORRY about such things. Not worrying is not the same as not doing.

I, for one, need to take Jesus’ words to heart, for I am a chronic worrier. I worry when my kids or grandkids set off for a road trip. I worry when they fly. I worry that I won’t complete these devotions in time. I worry that I haven’t spent enough time with my husband. I worry that I talked too much at my last ladies’ luncheon. I worry that people will think I’m too loud.

When I was starting out professionally and made very little money, I worried – with good reason – about being able to afford groceries. As I got older, I worried about health issues.

The list of worries is literally endless. I would bet your list is, as well.

Fortunately, I’ve eased up on the worrying a bit as I’ve gained some maturity. What I’ve learned – and continue to relearn every day – is that the more I let go of that anxiety, the happier I am. The less I worry, the closer I feel to the Lord. It is almost as if there is only so much room in my soul. If I want to fill it with God, I must empty it – to the extent I can – of anxiety.

I must remind myself, daily, to let go and let God.

Today, let us do what we must to thrive in this land of the living. Let us work to make a living and wash our clothes and cook our meals and do our banking and pay our bills and … and … and…

But even as we do all of that, let us stop to recognize God’s goodness. And let us appreciate how he sustains us, body and soul.