Greetings to you – may the grace and peace of God be with you through the power of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a great morning in the Kingdom – beautiful sunshine and fresh, cool morning air! I trust that your spirit is being energized and that your hope is rising. I will be praying for you today, asking Father to dispel any lingering concerns over health or relationships or circumstances that have pushed you into a time of discouragement or despair or even depression – be released from it in the name of Jesus! Will you accept that…?
One of my most favourite passages of Scripture…in the top ten at least, is Psalm 23. I can see and hear you right now…reciting it to yourself, letting particular phrases and images dwell in your mind, Go ahead, take a moment or two – it is a grand thing you do! I believe that I should preach a sermon series on that Psalm!…or should I say – ‘another’ series. I don’t think I ever spend time pondering this Psalm without seeing something new and encouraging. So, all that being said, let me share a new insight.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life … Psalm 23:6a NIV – For Your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life … Psalm 23:6a TPT. As a rule we focus on the words – ‘goodness’ and mercy’ but as I read theses words this morning, I was struck by the phrase…’all the days of my life’. On the surface those words seem rather benign but join with me in pondering a bit. I love to ponder. These words seem to go hand in hand with the phrase…this is the day that the Lord has made … Psalm 118:24 NIV.
So, is this a ‘good’ day – no aches or pains or complaints, the weather is good, everyone is treating me properly – this is obviously the day God made for me and goodness/mercy are sure following me. However, what if things are not so good – my body is aching, my spirits are sagging, it’s too hot-cold-rainy-snowy-dry-windy-sunny, my wife/husband or family/friends are ignoring me-being ornery – where is God today? According to the psalmist – God still made this day…and goodness/mercy is still following me. What about all those days in between those two extremes?
I am reminded of two songs…please forgive me, again. Remember as children we were taught…He’s got the whole world in His hands -You and me brother -You and me sister – in good days and bad days and everything in between. Perhaps on those days that don’t seem to be all we want, a little sing-song might be in order. The other song that comes to mind, I learned as an adult in the midst of less than the best days. The song was entitled, “I’m In His Hands” and verse one goes this way…I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me-The God I serve is one who cares and understands-Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me-Of this I am assured: I’m in His hands … Stanley Ditmer. I, like many of you, have learned through experience that the psalmist is so right – this day was made by God and because that is true then His goodness and mercy are not far away.
May God surround you today!