February 3rd, 2024
by Dr. Ron Harvey
by Dr. Ron Harvey
“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).
In the Shepherd Psalm, David claims that when a person can say truly, “The Lord is my Shepherd” then he has the answer to facing life’s challenges with confidence of a positive outcome and a bright future.
The house of the Lord to the Old Testament Jew represented the temple in Jerusalem. When they were in the temple, they felt like they were in the presence of God Himself. David says, "I’m going to live in His presence forever and it is because of His goodness and mercy." When David uses the word goodness, he means God gives me what I do not deserve, such as the good things of life, like family, friends, food, and a forever. However, when He uses the word mercy he means God keeps me from what I do deserve like anger and punishment because of my sins. That is why I know my future is assured. It does not really matter how undeserving I am of His love; I receive His goodness. Moreover, it does not actually matter how deserving I am of His anger; I receive His mercy. That is why my future is secure. In addition, notice David does not use the five-letter word maybe. He uses the six-letter word surely – which means with certainty I will dwell in His presence forever.
David could not make it any clearer. When you fully realize what it means to relate to God daily and closely as your shepherd, you have the answer to facing problems in life with confidence of a fulfilling life and a promising future. You know you are going to get through all this and then live with Him forever. The reason? It is because you can say joyfully and with authenticity, “The Lord is my Shepherd!”
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
In the Shepherd Psalm, David claims that when a person can say truly, “The Lord is my Shepherd” then he has the answer to facing life’s challenges with confidence of a positive outcome and a bright future.
The house of the Lord to the Old Testament Jew represented the temple in Jerusalem. When they were in the temple, they felt like they were in the presence of God Himself. David says, "I’m going to live in His presence forever and it is because of His goodness and mercy." When David uses the word goodness, he means God gives me what I do not deserve, such as the good things of life, like family, friends, food, and a forever. However, when He uses the word mercy he means God keeps me from what I do deserve like anger and punishment because of my sins. That is why I know my future is assured. It does not really matter how undeserving I am of His love; I receive His goodness. Moreover, it does not actually matter how deserving I am of His anger; I receive His mercy. That is why my future is secure. In addition, notice David does not use the five-letter word maybe. He uses the six-letter word surely – which means with certainty I will dwell in His presence forever.
David could not make it any clearer. When you fully realize what it means to relate to God daily and closely as your shepherd, you have the answer to facing problems in life with confidence of a fulfilling life and a promising future. You know you are going to get through all this and then live with Him forever. The reason? It is because you can say joyfully and with authenticity, “The Lord is my Shepherd!”
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron
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