The Lord is My Shepherd Thoughts o Psalm 23:6a

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” ESV
 
     “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me . . .”  Can you picture a little doggie following you all over your house with your each and every movement?  I can hear my little dachshund’s feet pattering up and down the hallway as I move from room to room, doing my chores.  He follows me because He wants to be in my presence…he moves after me.  God’s following is similar, but it is SO much more!  

     The Hebrew word for follow is rādaph, which means to pursue or chase.  It should bring us great peace to know assuredly that our God pursues us with His goodness and mercy, not just today, but ALL the days of our lives, and He desires us to live in that knowledge!  One of my favorite pastors has this saying: “All means All, and that’s all ALL means!”  Think on that—each and every day of our lives, God’s goodness and mercy chase us down.  Why? Think of who God is!  He is kind, compassionate, long-suffering, merciful, eager to forgive, loving, and so much more.  He is the God who desires no man to perish and will leave the ninety-nine to save the one.  That’s you!  That’s me!

     It is true that as we travel through life’s painful trials, we may not feel God’s presence or possibly imagine being pursued by His goodness and mercy.  We must remember that during those times, human, emotional feelings cannot be relied upon; we must trust God in faith, remembering “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28   God sees the beauty of a woven tapestry in its completion from the top; we only see the disarray of strings hanging from the bottom as it is being woven.  But all the while, because God is good and merciful, He was and is leading us from the entanglements of temporary life to an eternity of glory with Him.   

     When all is said and done, we must hold fast to the truths of who God is, and just as David did, find peace recognizing that God’s goodness and mercy were, are, and will be with us ALL the days of our lives—the good, the bad, and the ugly.  God is trustworthy; He is a promise keeper, the beginning of which was fulfilled those many years ago with the birth of our Savior, Jesus.  May He remain the center of our devotion this Christmas season.
 
Verses:

"The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9

"For Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.  You rule throughout all generations.  The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does.  Psalm 145:13

PRAYER:  Thank You, Father, that You chase us down with Your goodness and mercy ALL the days of our lives, and on those days when we do not feel Your hand upon us, help us to remember Your ultimate act of goodness and mercy—the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus upon the cross, who took our sins upon Himself and died in our place.  We praise You, God, for Your goodness and mercy.  May Your name be exalted forever!

Disclaimer:  I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since.  How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?!

These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him.  However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word.  Therein lies the source of all truth!