Followed by Goodness
Monday, September 29
Followed by Goodness
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
This is our final week journeying through Psalm 23 together. It has been a joy to explore the deeper truths of this beloved passage, and I pray it has drawn you closer to our Shepherd.
As we reflect on verse 6 which says “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”, I think of it as an umbrella of gospel truth. It covers us and shapes the lens through which we see our lives here on earth as God’s sheep. These final words remind us that God’s goodness and mercy are not just abstract ideas they are with us, actively pursuing us. And because of the hope of glory, we are forever changed.
The goodness and mercy of God follow you not as distant ideals, but because God Himself is goodness, is mercy, and is love in their perfect form. In His perfect character, He goes before you, He walks with you, and He holds you always (Joshua 1:9).
I recently heard a pastor say that compassion and mercy go hand in hand. That’s who our God is, He is compassionate and merciful in all He does. His unchanging character is the rock-solid foundation upon which our faith stands. In A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, W. Phillip Keller writes, “His goodness and mercy and compassion to me are new every day. And my assurance is lodged in these aspects of His character” (emphasis added). What a comfort that is.
Take a moment to reflect: When you think about your faith in God, what aspects of His character mean the most to you right now? Can you picture the Shepherd gently drawing His sheep near with His staff? Do you see Him as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10)? Do you trust that Jesus Christ laid down His life for you (1 John 3:16)?
As image bearers of the Good Shepherd, we are called to reflect His character in our own lives His mercy, His compassion, His love. What a humbling and beautiful reminder.
Prayer for today: Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd who leads me from rest to assurance. Lord, I need to let go so that You can work, but I find it hard to let go. I somehow feel that I know best even when I know the truth, I don’t! Today I ask that You help me release my worries and trust that You are in control. In Jesus name, Amen.