Goodness & Mercy

 By Lisa Robertson

I often joke with my family that when I am a really old lady, I want to have two fluffy dogs and name them “Goodness” and “Mercy”.  Why “Goodness and Mercy?

Because Psalm 23: 6-clearly states:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me  All the days of my life;
         And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I can see myself with these two slipper-like dogs following me throughout the house.  If I am lonely or bored, I will call my dogs Goodness and Mercy to my side.

All kidding aside, when I take the time to be thoughtful with the Psalm 23, it promises change my perspective and my life:

 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need...

 The first promise is for guidance and provision of all that I need. All means everything.  We lack nothing with Christ.

 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.

Rest, peace, renewal, refreshment and strength are his gifts to us. The Lord is our source for all of these benefits.
 

  He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name.

There are so many references to paths in the Old Testament. My understanding of a path is that it is well-traveled, has a beginning and an end, a destination. People have traveled this path before me.

God goes before me, if I follow Him, I will be in the best place in life. 

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

There is nothing to fear when we walk with God.  “Do not be afraid” is one of the most used expressions in the Bible.  God is with me. This truth gives me courage and strength. An insight that I have never forgotten is that “Fruit grows in the valley.”  We don’t need to fear the dark valley, if we are following God. Chances are that we will grow there.

Your rod and your staff, protect and comfort me.

Rod and staff might seem harsh, but the promise is for discipline, leadership, protection and comfort! What a great God.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

We can be so secure with God that we can feast even when our enemies are close by. However, our focus has to be on God and not on the enemies if we want to enjoy the feast.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

God honors us by equipping us to serve by equipping us with good gifts.  Our lives are saturated with His extravagant gifts and blessings. Extravagant, not adequate.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Goodness, mercy, and unfailing love will actually follow us.  We follow God and goodness and mercy follow us, forever!

Contained in these 6 short verses are a summary of a life lived in a relationship with God.  No one knows for certain how old David was when he wrote these words, but many think that he might have been an older king at the time.  If that is true, these are not just words for a young person looking to her future, but also for an older person looking back on God’s incredible faithfulness throughout life. 

Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.   

Ps. 23:6 (Message)