05.23.2023 Psalm 23:6 Goodness and Mercy

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

In an attempt to maintain the tranquil feel of Psalm 23 translators have consistently rendered verse 6 “goodness and mercy shall follow me.” The image is of a shaggy sheep dog lolling along behind the flock, present if needed, but not really engaged. The word David actually chose is “pursue.” Goodness and mercy shall pursue me” has a very different feel. There is a sense of urgency here. Goodness and mercy are not laying in the sun waiting to be needed. They are chasing after us. When we wander too far from our Good Shepherd they hunt us down and bring us back. The Good Shepherd does not send wrath and punishment, or condemnation and justice to hunt us down and drag us back to the flock kicking and bleating. His goodness and mercy, His gentle love and care, come after us, pour themselves out on us, and we follow them back to the Shepherd. Jesus is actively engaged in pursuing you with His goodness and mercy wherever you wander. They are not passively waiting nearby. They are actively engaged. Pursuing you. Keeping you safe and cared for. No matter what life brings today, remember that the Good Shepherd’s goodness and mercy are right behind, pursuing you with His love.

Good Shepherd, I marvel at how active You are in my life. You do not stand on a far off hill watching me struggle. You are pursuing me with Your goodness and mercy. Help me to find strength in this amazing truth today. Amen.

I am like the sick sheep that strays from the rest of the flock. Unless the Good Shepherd takes me on His shoulders and carries me back to His fold, my steps will falter, and in the very effort of rising, my feet will give way. — St. Jerome

It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them. — Tiberius