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Listen while you read: "As With Gladness Men Of Old"1 (Lyrics) |
At the beginning of December 2021, I was unexpectedly informed by the Central Office that I would be retiring on December 31st. However, I had already petitioned the Texas Retirement System for my retirement to begin on the following June 1st. I was informed that my tenure as a teacher had finished, my final paycheck would be at the end of the month, and my health insurance would end on December 31st. I panicked. I wouldn't have money to pay any bills because my pension was not set to begin for six months. I am diabetic, and I worried about being able to purchase my insulin. Was I discouraged? Yes, and I was restless, too.
Psalm 42:5 – Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God. (GW)
David speaks to his soul, to himself, and asks why he is feeling discouraged, why is he so restless. In effect, he's asking, "Why are you doubting the Lord? Why are you feeling as though God cannot save and rescue you? You know that God is greater than any situation. You know that God has rescued you every time that you have needed Him to. So why is this situation different? Why are you feeling downcast, gloomy, and disheartened? Why are you trying to produce an answer and a defense? Are you listening to others who imply that God has forgotten you?"
Was I still able to praise and hope in the Lord? Yes, with His help, my retirement was finalized much later, and I received two extra paychecks, which carried me through April 1st. I was also able to get a Medicare Advantage plan effective February 1st at no cost. Once again, God showed me that He is my God and my Saviour. Why did I ever doubt?
There are times when we need to talk to our souls, our inner beings, and remind ourselves that the Lord is our Redeemer and Saviour. We need to remind our souls that the Lord showed us that we could hope in Him because Jesus rescued us by giving His life for us. We need to remind ourselves that we are no longer slaves to our old natures that did not have peace or contentment. We need to remind our souls that we can rest in the Lord because He takes all our cares and burdens and gives us beauty for ashes and the oil of gladness instead of mourning.
Prayer: Lord, help us to praise You in all circumstances. Help our souls to praise You, no matter how confusing, impossible, or gloomy the path may seem. Instead of looking at what is surrounding us, help us remember that we are safe in Your loving hands, and that Your love will protect us from anything that may make us feel that we are alone, defeated, or abandoned. Help us never to forget that we can praise You in all circumstances, because You will never leave us or forsake us. Amen.
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Child custody: "Update June 10, 2025: The court case for T's son is still lagging on. Please keep praying...." 
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Amen Becky.
Nice prayer Becky.
Thanks for the encouraging words, Becky.
Thank you so much for that Becky. You just described me perfectly.
Thank you for sharing your words
God Bless you.
Problems can be a blessing – they strengthen our faith and dependence on God.
Amen and Amen! Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Thanks Becky for reminding us that that God is always there to help us in all circumstances. Blessings.
Great news and how great is our God!!!!!
Thank you for sharing this today, Becky.
God bless you always.
Thank you Becky for this devotion.
I enjoyed it and it gave me much to think about.
Blessings,
(Québec)
Hello Becky, just to let you know that your devotional is timely because of a present relational conflict. Message to soul: Trust in the LORD.
Merci.
(Ontario)
Oh Becky! I’ve “been there – done that!”
Yesterday morning, Canada Day, I had a beautiful scene from my balcony… how can I doubt His faithfulness?
Thanks for your devotional and Happy 4th of July!
What a great reminder – it’s so easy to feel lonely – alone, with nothing really to look forward to; and then HE surprises you with something you would never have thought possible – something you’ve wanted for years and of course given up on…
Thanksgiving you for this.
Good morning, Becky!
Thank you for sharing your message with us today. It’s wonderful to acknowledge that Our Lord Jesus Christ is our constant provider and that He always comes through for us!
Blessings.
Thank you, Becky, for your encouraging words this morning. It is important that we remember to put our trust in the Lord when we face unexpected circumstances for He is ever there and waiting for our call. It can be so amazing how the Lord answers in so many positive ways. Blessings for your special writings.
Yes! I am a spirit being with a body and a soul. Me, myself, and I. I, spirit, speak to me and myself (body and soul) to tell them who they are in Christ. ‘I am’ is a very powerful statement: I am in Christ. Christ is in me. I am filled with Holy Spirit. I am powerful. I am forgiven. I am renewed. So important what we say to our beings!
Good morning Becky,
I could feel your worry with this news. I am glad that your faith helped you at this important time as you start your retirement. I believe we all have times of feeling discouraged and need to rely on God to help us through those difficult moments. It is a new chapter in your life which is full of promise and joy. Blessings.
While I enjoy the Presbyterian Daily Devotion, I am troubled with the Lord’s promise to know He is always there for us. How can my dear friend in Gaza continue to believe that our Lord (Allah) is with him while enduring 10 months of war torn events, starving, lost hope, his home is destroyed and is living in extreme misery and PTSD? I chat with him often trying to encourage him but am at a loss for words now.
Thank you,
(MD, USA)
From Becky Lucero: Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read and send me feedback on my devotional. I appreciate it very much. Have a wonderful rest of July. Blessings.
Thank you Becky, for this encouraging devotional.