GuideStone® was originally established in 1918 to provide financial support and assistance for retired pastors and widows. Today, we continue to carry out that mission through the ministry of Mission:Dignity®. Here’s an encouraging devotional from one of our recipients:
Everything Belongs to GodPsalm 50:10 (KJV)
Bob Buckner authored this issue’s devotional. He served the Lord for 34 years.
Since I was a young lad, my favorite verse in all Scripture has been Psalm 50:10, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
I grew up in rural North Carolina and saw plenty of cattle on plenty of hills. Every time I saw them, I was reminded of this beautiful verse.
It goes on to say in verse 11, “I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.” And then, a couple of verses down, verse 15 says, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
We had a couple of milk cows on our postage-stamp-sized farm. My little brother and I milked the cows. He did not like that chore, and I did not like the chore of washing dishes. Late one Sunday afternoon, he and I were milking the cows before our family headed out for church. We were having a milk fight, squirting milk at each other. I was clearly winning, and he was becoming more and more frustrated. Finally, he stood up and poured his entire milk pail all over me! I don’t think I was very fragrant at church that evening! We later decided to negotiate on chores. I would milk both cows, and he would take my turn washing dishes.
Ultimately, this was good cooperation, and it continued until we both grew up and went away to college.
That spirit of cooperation still exists among believers today. Sometimes it’s messy, and sometimes we fight, but in the end, we remember who owns us and how he provides for us.
Today I live in a small city in Mississippi. I don’t have too much occasion to drive through the country. But I always see cattle upon some of those hills when I do.
And I am always reminded that every beast of the forest belongs to God. In my day of trouble, I can call on him, and because he shares his blessing with the family of believers, he provides for me. He will deliver me, and I will glorify him. Will you join me in trusting in the one who owns “the cattle on a thousand hills?”
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Commentary
• Feb 10, 2026 