It Starts Small

Here we are, anxious about our world, our country, our families, ourselves. And who knows what the future holds? But of this you can be certain: Whatever the future holds, God’s goodness and God’s mercy will follow you all the days of your life.

All the days of my life

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. When you belong to the Good Shepherd, this will always be true of you. Jerry Bridges says this so well,

“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”

Jerry Bridges, ‘Who Am I?’ p. 92

All the days of my life…

In Psalm 23, we learn that there exists a close and inseparable relationship between the Good Shepherd and His sheep. I hope in all we have studied you have picked up on this relationship. We are inseparable from Christ. An unbreakable bond unites us as one. Verse 6 reinforces this truth and makes it abundantly clear.

David begins this verse by underscoring the certainty of this indissoluble union. This reality is seen in the first word, “surely.” There should be no doubt that what is stated here is to be believed with an unwavering assurance. No matter how dark the valley, regardless of how deep the canyon, surely this goodness and mercy belong to the sheep. The near presence of the Shepherd with His loving care is an indisputable truth. His concern must never be doubted, nor His care questioned. With the certainty of God’s irrevocable covenant love, His abundant goodness is firmly committed to His flock.

The Hebrew verb translated “follow” pictures these two virtues—goodness and mercy—as actively pursuing David. It can be said that these twin components of divine love are like two sheepdogs that help the shepherd corral his flock. They shadow the flock in order to steer them in the right direction. When the sheep go astray, these sheepdogs bring them back. When we slow down, they spur us on. So it is with goodness and mercy that pull up the rear. They are constantly driving us closer to the Good Shepherd.

This pursuit may recall the days of David’s flight from Absalom. David is testifying that whatever threats have chased him, there is always a greater pursuer afoot—goodness and mercy. Though he has been hounded by those who seek to harm him, he remains confident that this divine love will stalk his every step. He is convinced that divine love will be with him to the end.

Here is the steadfastness of the Shepherd in keeping after His sheep. Even when David found himself in life-threatening situations, God’s goodness was close behind. Whatever the trial, His loving-kindness was constantly trailing him.

When David claims that these dual blessings follow “me,” he is emphasizing how personal they are to him. The point is that this divine care is not directed toward an anonymous group of nameless sheep in a nonspecific, general way. To the contrary, David knows that God’s focus is riveted upon him as an individual sheep called by name.

This steadfast love will pursue David and there will not be a single day in which this faithful favor will not be close behind him. These two parts of God’s love will be nipping at his heels all day, every day, for the rest of his life. There will never be a day in which the goodness and mercy of the Lord will not be immediately nearby. We can never escape the loyal love of this good Shepherd.

What are you allowing to “nip” at your heels and chase you? IS it fear and doubt? Or are you allowing the goodness and mercy of the Good Shepherd to steer you towards the love of God?