EPISODE 277 – PURSUED BY GOODNESS AND MERCY 1

Friday 27th October, 2023

PURSUED BY GOODNESS AND MERCY 1

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever” 

Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)

The most quoted phrase of the Psalm 23 is the verse 6. Mostly (not sure of the early days of the Church, but from the past few centuries ago) used as a closing benediction during Church meetings.

Sometimes the popularity of a chapter or verse makes it seem to be a cliché. Notwithstanding, the gleanings we’ve had all through Psalm 23, it is obvious this Psalm is rich in the revelation of divine comfort and peace.

Within the heart of the first part of verse 6, is the word “FOLLOW“.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life…“

One may think it should rather be “Goodness and Mercy”. However, the focus is on the function and operative mode of “Goodness and Mercy”.

The word “FOLLOW” doesn’t bring out the complete picture from the original Hebrew word.

To follow in English means to go, come after, or proceed. This is not strong enough to depict the original meaning.

As you will understand what Goodness and Mercy represent, you will realise the irony of having these nouns as the subject of the verb “FOLLOW“.

The original Hebrew word is “râdaph”, which means to run after (usually with hostile intent); to chase; put to flight; follow after on a hunt as a lion hunts its prey; be under persecution; pursue; or pursuer.

This verb usually describes the hostility of an enemy.

This was used by the Psalmist to create a word picture of the aggressiveness of the Good Shepherd; showing how His loving kindness pursues you even when you seem to be avoiding it and going off course.

There are moments when the adversary floods your heart with doubtful and undeserving thoughts. You begin to look down on yourself and feel all the kindness and warmth of the Shepherd-Host shouldn’t be for you. You look back on your life and feel you have made so many mistakes and all you deserve is punishments.

Nevertheless, the Lord has set up or programmed His Goodness and Mercy in your life to pursue and hunt you into His comfort haven.

No matter which direction you go in life, you can’t hide from the aggressive and overwhelming pursuit of the Lord’s Goodness and Mercy.
No wonder He said:
“And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand” John 10:28 (Amplified Bible).

Beloved, have this assurance and unbending certainty that you cannot be part of the sheepfold of the Lord Jesus and be a disadvantage.

It is impossible to be His sheep and not be overwhelmed by His Goodness and Mercy. Your life is in the focus of the hunting gears of His Goodness and Mercy.

Hallelujah!

Shalom Aleichem.