September 16, 2007

• PART VI ~ GOODNESS AND MERCY

   
  

  

  
  
  We had a wonderful Saturday … I’ll share on Monday!  The weather was beautiful … the Irish Fest was crowded … and we did see sheep being herded … AND DUCKS??!!  Pictures on the way!  I’m posting this last verse in the study of Psalm 23 for Sunday.  If anyone has any other thoughts as to what this Psalm has meant to you, please share!  Have a blessed Sunday, and I’ll be back shortly!
  
   Hugs,
  ~ Deborah <><
  
  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  PART VI ~ PSALM 23 ~
  THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
  by Lura Langenback
  
   ~ PSALM 23: 6 ~
  GOODNESS AND MERCY 
  Have you noticed that if you want to do something that isn’t good,
  all you have to do is fall into it?
  
  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
  and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.“  vs.6
  
  Imagine, if you will, what the word ‘goodness’ actually means.  The dictionary definition is this: ‘in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.’  Now add to that the fact that God is a greater ‘goodness’ than man can ever possibly be.  He chooses to be goodness.  Not a passive act … deliberate.
  
  The act of goodness is a decision.  Have you noticed that if you want to do something that isn’t good, all you have to do is fall into it?  BUT, if you do want to do something right, it requires a decision?  It’s a choice, a life determination.  Think about choices for a moment.  Many times we have no clue as to what to chose but we do so based on what we feel, what we are wearing, what the weather is like and so on.  Even our most pressing needs are resolved based on right or wrong choices.  It is so easy to chose wrong because we FEEL like having a pizza when the worst thing we can do is have it.  So easy to date that good looking guy/girl because they are so popular.  Those are choices, but are they right for you?  Only God can tell you that.  However, choosing goodness is a sure thing because God promises it.  Surely. Without a doubt.  Done deal.  You can’t get any better than that!
  
  Now, imagine the goodness that you chose, following you ALL the days of your life.  What a blessing that would be! What am I saying here?  Look at the verse closely.  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life“. Remember what ‘surely’ means?  It is a guaranteed deal.  It will happen with an absolute certainty.  There is no doubt about it in any way, shape or form.  That’s a comforting thought.  Imagine that this ‘goodness’ is so stuck to you that you can’t shake it off.  Oh, do I LOVE that!  If that were all the promise, I would be so blessed but it gets even better.
  
  …”and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.“  What does ‘forever’ mean?  Without end … constant … continuing … eternity.  We are promised that we will dwell in God’s house from now until……forever!  What more do you want?  Living in the house with the Creator of all things, for eternity, is such a wonderful promise that I can’t wrap my mind around it totally.  But it sounds so good to me.  What a blessing!
  
  For just one more moment, let’s go back and take a look at the whole Psalm.  We are promised that the Lord is our Shepherd, that He gives us peace in ways we would not otherwise have it, He restores us to wholeness, leads us in the right paths.  He walks WITH us through the valleys, through the shadows of death and He comforts us in that time.  He prepares a table of goodies right there in the presence of our enemies and anoints our heads with the oil of the Lord. Then He tells us that His Goodness will follow us all our lives.  One more promise.  We will be allowed to dwell in God’s house forever.  This is shouting time to me!  Seek the Shepherd today.
  
  
  
  PSALM 23: 1–6
  The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.
  He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
  for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
  Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
  

  

  
  ~THE 23rd PSALM … SIMPLY PUT~
  
  The Lord is my Shepherd …
  that is Relationship.

  I shall not want …
  that is Supply.

  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures …
  that is Rest.

  He leadeth me beside the still waters …
  that is Refreshment.

  He restoreth my soul …
  that is Healing.

  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness …
  that is Guidance.

  For His name sake …
  that is Purpose.

  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death …
  that is Testing.

  I will fear no evil …
  that is Protection.

  For Thou art with me …
  that is Faithfulness.

  Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me …
  that is Discipline.

  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies …
  that is Hope.

  Thou annointest my head with oil …
  that is Consecration.

  My cup runneth over …
  that is Abundance.

  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life …
  that is Blessing.

  And I will dwell in the house of the Lord …
  that is Security.

  Forever …
  That is ETERNITY!!
  
   AMEN!!

  
  

  

  

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