“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
David says, without a doubt goodness and mercy will follow him. Goodness and mercy will surely follow us because God does not fail us. We may fail Him, but He never fails to bless us. He finishes what He starts in our lives. Goodness and mercy are the sheepdogs in our lives to keep us moving forward for Christ. The word “follow” is used in a benevolent way. These graces seek us out when we walk with the Lord and make Him the shepherd of our lives. Goodness connotes good things, prosperity, happiness, or bounty, while Mercy can also imply loving kindness or faithfulness.
God’s protection and provision is likened to the waters of the rock smitten by the rod of Moses, which followed the Israelites all the way through the wilderness, till they came to the Promised Land (Exodus 17:6), or the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that followed the Israelites through their journey (Exodus 13:21-22). God never leaves his true followers. His providential mercies, gracious influences, and miraculous interferences shall never be wanting when they are necessary.
This means grace seeks us out when we walk with the Lord and make Him the shepherd of our lives. God’s goodness takes care of our steps and His mercy takes care of our stumbles.
His goodness meets our needs and His mercy forgives all our faults.
His goodness leads to repentance and His mercy leads to regeneration.
Goodness caused the prodigal son to come back home and mercy ran to meet the son.
Goodness is God’s hand and mercy is God’s heart.
God has made it clear that His sheep will never be deserted. Hebrews 13:5 says “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” What a blessing from God to know that His goodness and mercy are following us, therefore, we will continue to dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever in Jesus name.
Welcome to the month of May 2019, the month of God’s Goodness and Mercy.
Prayers:
Arise oh Lord and have mercy upon me, for the time to favor me is now.
Let me enjoy your unprecedented goodness and mercy all through year 2019 and beyond in Jesus name.
(Psalm 102:13. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yes the set time has come).
Yours in His Service,
Pastor (Dr.) Lillian Haastrup
