Mensa Otabil - Goodness and Mercy
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We’re looking at Psalm 23, and we are now in the final verse, but we’ll break the final verse into two parts. Part A and Part B will be dealt with tomorrow. So, Psalm 23, verse 6, Part A: «Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.» It’s a language of confidence; it’s a language of assurance. David, at this time, is transitioning from just using the image of a shepherd and his sheep to talking about his personal relationship with God. He places himself fully in the position of a person who has a relationship with God, and so he begins by saying, «Surely.» «Surely» means indeed, absolutely, without any shadow of doubt, without any form of disturbing evidence of thought. David says, «Surely, I know without any shadow of doubt the facts that I’m about to recount.»
What does he say he knows without any shadow of doubt? He says, «Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.» That is an assurance we need to have as Christians in our lives. We need to have this intimate relationship with God so that we can also have this assurance that goodness will follow us. Goodness basically talks about the good things that God does for us-God’s abundant blessings, His provision for us. God is with us, and His goodness is with us. God is good, and it doesn’t mean that everything in life will be perfect, but we are very sure; we are grounded that God is good to us. That’s a certainty that you must have and I must have.
And then he talks about God’s mercy. God’s mercy is His steadfast love that is renewed to us. It is when God overlooks our limitations and still gives us His strength. Because you know, many times if it were just left to us and our abilities, strengths, and education, yes, we could achieve some things, but there is a measure that we are not able to achieve that God provides for us, and He does it because of His mercy. The good thing about the mercy of God is that it also makes Him provide for people who are not His. His mercy allows the sun to shine on both the good and the evil. God’s mercy is so abundant that it reaches beyond those who are deserving of good treatment.
David says because of who God is to me -His goodness and His mercy-and he says they shall follow me. That means they will pursue him. So, you think of somebody who is taking a walk, and there is something behind him that never leaves him. It’s like your shadow that is cast behind you; it never leaves you, whether you jump, run, squat, or whatever you do, it follows you. David has this assurance, and we must have this same assurance. There is something God wants to give to us that will follow us, and that is His goodness and His mercy. Even if you are in enemy territory, God’s goodness will follow you. When people come against you, God’s goodness will follow you. When people want to destroy you, God’s goodness will follow you. They will surely follow you.
And he says they will not just follow me part of the time but all the days of my life. Can you have that confidence? The goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life. Do you have that assurance in your heart? Are you certain that even though you go through difficulty, God’s goodness has not abandoned you, and His mercy has not abandoned you? Life may not always be pleasant, but God’s goodness and mercy are the constants of our lives. I pray that you will enjoy the benefit of His goodness and His mercy.
Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, Your goodness and mercy keep chasing me. I am grateful for all that You do for me continually. In Jesus' name, amen and amen. Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.