“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”
Psalms 23:6 NKJV
David had come to the end of his life. A life full of epic victories and epic failures. He went from a lowly, unappreciated shepherd to a giant slayer. From a mighty warrior in Saul’s court to a pursued outlaw leading a ban of 500 ne’er-do-wells. He was a beloved king who committed murder and sexual assault. His family was dysfunctional. He was exiled by his son but reinstated as king.
Yet, despite the ups and the downs, David wrote:
Surely, without a doubt, certainly, I know this to be true
1. The righteous will never be forsaken. (Psalm 37:25)
2. I will see the goodness of the Lord on this side of heaven. (Psalm 27:13)
3. Those who seek God will not lack any good things. (Psalm 34:10)
4. God delights in my prosperity (Psalm 35:27)
5. Goodness and mercy pursues me, follows me, runs after me, chases me down (Psalm 23:6a)
6. I will settle down, make myself at home because I’m not going anywhere, dwell in, make my habitation in the presence of the Lord now and for eternity. (Psalm 23:6b)
After the ups and the downs, after living a lifetime pursuing the things of God, David was absolutely convinced of God’s goodness, God’s benevolence, God’s faithfulness, His steadfast love, His grace and mercy.
If I’m honest, I would have to admit, I don’t always share David’s end of life conviction. Sometimes, I don’t understand why. I can’t see the big picture. Sometimes I want to call it quits. Sometimes I feel abandoned. But David also wanted to give up at times. The Psalms are full of David asking why God? Where are you God? Why have you forsaken me God?
Yet David did not live in the uncertainty. Neither can I. Neither can you. David doubted. David questioned. But then he allowed God to restore his unruly soul and brought his emotions and his thoughts back into alignment with truth: Surely God is good. Surely God is merciful. Surely I dwell in His presence. Surely.
If you are doubting this morning, declare with me:
Surely God is good and merciful to me.
Surely I will not be forsaken.
Surely I will see my prayers answered on this side of heaven.
Surely I will not lack any good things.
Surely God delights in my prosperity
Surely his goodness and mercy pursues me, follows me, runs after me, chases me down
Surely I will dwell in God’s presence now and forever.
Surely God is good to me. Surely.