Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of ADONAI [the LORD] forever. Psalm 23:6, TLV
Are Goodness and Mercy Following You? Nothing like the “old” reliable Bible passages that we memorized as children. Psalm 23. John 3:16. Have you ever seen the cartoon of a shepherd leading two sheep whose names were Goodness and Mercy? That noodled in my noggin this morning. That noodling gave me a realization. The verse says, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life …” Not that goodness and mercy are with us all the days of our life. Of course, we know those gifts are with us to utilize throughout our life, but follow? Could that mean that wherever we go, we leave a trail of goodness and mercy behind us?
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows. (vs. 5, TLV)
What if, in the presence of critics and folks who ridicule our faith, what they see is the Good Shepherd’s goodness and mercy in us? Those who have yet experienced the love and redemption of our Savior see something different in us? Ah, yes. We’ve circled back around to this again … Our walk. Whether in public or private, it should be the same, because hurting souls are watching. Are hungry for peace and true love that can only come from our Creator — our Father and His Son.
So, the question is: are we leaving a trail of anger or frustration, or a trail of goodness and mercy?
Don’t worry if we stumble or sin – of course, we will — just look up, ask for forgiveness, then let the Good Shepherd help us up. He will teach us how to overcome as we follow Him and leave a trail of goodness and mercy.
