Ever really thought about this?
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
(Psalm 23:6, ESV)
Are Goodness and Mercy following you? If so… do you acknowledge this? If not… do you know why? I suppose the question really is – do you want goodness and mercy following you? Do you feel that you would ‘owe’ a payment to the Lord because of goodness/mercy? And how do you define this. How would you know they are following… would anyone else?
I do understand that the question of wanting them evident in your life seems like a no-brainer. But it really isn’t. The reason is that there is a price to be paid for having this in your life… just as there is a price to be paid when they aren’t. First… what was being said in the first 5 verses of the 23rd Psalm?
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” ESV
A more modern translations is from the Message Bible:
“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.” MSG
My point is that regardless of translation, the message hasn’t changed. Then again, it can’t. (Deuteronomy 12:32, Revelation 22:18) The reason the Word hasn’t changed… nor will it. And the message is:
1. The Lord is our shepherd
2. We don’t need, we are restored
3. The Lord’s leading is true and right
4. He walks with us, never leaving us alone
5. He revives and strengthens us in the presence of enemies
Because of all this Mercy and Goodness follow us. And…We shall dwell in the House of the Lord… forever.
