There will never be a day in which the goodness and mercy of the Lord will not be immediately nearby. These two parts of God’s love will be nipping at his heels all day, every day, for the rest of his life. This steadfast love will pursue David “all the days of life.” There will not be a single day in which this faithful favor will not be close behind him. To the contrary, David knows that God’s focus is riveted upon him as an individual sheep called by name. The point is that this divine care is not directed toward an anonymous group of nameless sheep in a nonspecific, general way. When David claims that these dual blessings follow “me,” he is emphasizing how personal they are to him. Whatever the trial, His loving-kindness was constantly trailing him. Even when David found himself in life-threatening situations, God’s goodness was close behind.
Here is the steadfastness of the Shepherd in keeping after His sheep. He is convinced that divine love will be with him to the end. Though he has been hounded by those who seek to harm him, he remains confident that this divine love will stalk his every step. David is testifying that whatever threats have chased him, there is always a greater pursuer afoot-goodness and mercy. This pursuit may recall the days of David’s flight from Absalom. They are constantly driving us closer to the Good Shepherd. So it is with goodness and mercy that pull up the rear. When the sheep go astray, these sheepdogs bring them back. They shadow the flock in order to steer them in the right direction. It can be said that these twin components of divine love are like two sheepdogs that help the shepherd corral his flock. The Hebrew verb translated “follow” pictures these two virtues-goodness and mercy-as actively pursuing David. Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful to us. He loves them with His sovereign love that can never be extinguished. This is the unconditional love of the Good Shepherd toward those whom the Father has chosen and entrusted to Him. This is demonstrated in His attentive care for their many needs.ĭavid also states that “mercy” follows him. Therefore, He can do only good to His beloved flock. God is perfectly good in His character and flawlessly good in all His actions. When David testifies that “goodness” will follow him, he uses a Hebrew word that, as an adjective, means “beautiful” or “pleasant.” It represents the attractive way with which God shows His love for His sheep. With the certainty of God’s irrevocable covenant love, His abundant goodness is firmly committed to His flock. His concern must never be doubted, nor His care questioned. The near presence of the Shepherd with His loving care is an indisputable truth. No matter how dark the valley, regardless of how deep the canyon, surely this goodness and mercy belong to the sheep. 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. David begins this verse by underscoring the certainty of this indissoluble union. Verse 6 reinforces this truth and makes it abundantly clear. In Psalm 23, we learn that there exists a close and inseparable relationship between the Good Shepherd and His sheep.
We need to be similarly confident and comforted, believing that every day of our lives, these two friends of David are with us for every step of life’s journey. I have always wondered what their names are.” The woman left that day with peace of mind, comforted to know that it was goodness and mercy that were following her.Īs believers in Jesus Christ, you and I need to be also trusting that the goodness and mercy of God are following our every step. Their names are Goodness and Mercy.” He turned in the Bible to Psalm 23:6 and showed her, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life.” She was relieved and exclaimed: “That is wonderful. But to put her at ease, he told her: “Those two men following you are David’s men. Moody could easily detect that this precious woman was suffering from a mental delusion. With a nervous twitch in her neck, she insisted that she had even been followed to his office by these very two men.
Whenever she stepped onto the city trolley, they stepped onto it behind her. Two men, she claimed, were following her. Moody, a noted evangelist of the nineteenth century, was once approached by a woman who needed counseling.