Don’t Look Now, They’re Right Behind You!

[Norma]

Norma J. Oliver
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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

How many times have we read and said verse 6 of the 23rd Psalm? Have you really thought about what it says? Let’s break it down and look closely at what David is telling us. He opens the statement with the word ‘surely.’ Webster defines surely as certainly; assuredly; safely and firmly. This lets us know that the statement is to be believed. Most definitely it will happen or it will come to pass. Goodness is defined as beneficial; healthy or sound; honorable and enjoyable. Mercy is forbearance towards one who is in one’s power; a forgiving disposition; clemency and compassion for the unfortunate. Wow! I don’t know about you but at only four words into the verse and I feel a shout coming on; a praise that I got to get out. Let me say it again, “surely goodness and mercy.” Thank you, Jesus! David said most assuredly benefits and a forgiving disposition will chase me until I die! I don’t even have to tell you the B clause of that verse is pretty exciting as well. Let’s just say our God (Daddy) has a room in His house for each of us forever. Translation: He is always with us!
You might be saying to yourself, “Yeah, I’m familiar with that verse. And I am sure David believed goodness and mercy followed him all the days of his life but I’m not David.” Let me help you. If you think that goodness and mercy are not always following you, then, maybe you can’t recognize them. I know you think you know goodness when you see it and everybody understands mercy, right? We see with our natural eyes a bad situation or circumstance but it’s not the whole picture. Everything that happens to us or will happen to us is already known by God. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 (NIV) God knows the outcome of our lives. We can only experience it in the natural day to day process.
When we set our expectations for a situation and it doesn’t happen as we had hoped or planned we lose faith. We think God has forgotten us. We get ready to throw a pity party and invite as many as we can because misery loves company. This should not be so. Remember David is the writer of this Psalm. The whole book of Psalm is a book of worship. David endured death threats and heartache yet he says goodness and mercy were with him through it all. Sometimes goodness is not a new house but an eviction. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. Genesis 19:15 Sometimes mercy is not a longer life or healing from a disease but death. The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Isaiah 57:1 Sometimes God allows us to be tested. Don’t get this confused with being tempted. The tests come to increase our faith and we ought to be glad about it. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 Did you notice that God does want us to be better but perfect? God doesn’t fix-up or improve He perfects!
Let me tell you how to deal with any situation. You need to know what God has promised so study the Bible. Once you know the promises of God you can speak them back to Him. Tell God what He said in His word. Stand on it. I have no problem telling Him what He promised to me. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 This is what I know for sure. There are only two things that can happen in every situation of my life. Either goodness will handle the matter or mercy will handle me in the matter. If I turn to my right, there stands goodness. If I turn to my left, there is mercy. I’m telling you I can’t move without them. I’m not a celebrity but I have an entourage. I’m not the President but I have a security detail team 24-7. I’m going to paraphrase Romans 4:20-21 and I want you to repeat after me. “I will not waver at the promise of God through unbelief; but I am strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that what He has promised, He is able to perform.” Don’t look now but here they come. Be encouraged!

[ERIC (E.T.) TEMPLE]

NICE, I HAVE TO LOOK THOSE VERSES UP.

[Donald (Donnie) Davis]

Great Norma! Great! Keep spreading the WORD. I guarantee it's helping somebody. God bless ya and keep up the good work for Jesus.