The Good Shepherd: Devotions Inspired by Psalm 23Sample

The Certainty of God’s Promises 

By Kyle Fox 

I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. Psalm 101:2 (NLT) 

It was 30 degrees Fahrenheit outside with an icy wind that warned of extreme weather ahead, but we were determined to begin this adventure with prayer. Our realtor pressed the for-sale sign into our front yard and joined my wife and me as we encircled the sign to pray. We thanked God for the blessing the house had been to us and asked Him to make it a blessing for the next family who would purchase it. 

When I went back inside and picked up my phone, a surprising Instagram message was waiting for me: “My wife and I were driving around looking for houses and wondered if that was you we saw praying at the curb.” I hadn’t seen this guy in years, and for all he knew, I was the real estate agent selling the house and not the person putting it up for sale. His family was the first to attend a showing at our home, and soon they made an offer that we accepted. 

But the adventure didn’t wrap up that easily. The morning after we signed the contract, the temperature plummeted to historic lows. Over the next several days, the chance of snow our kids were excited about became a devastating winter storm. I never imagined asking the Lord to protect pipes from bursting—they weren’t even going to be mine much longer. Thankfully, the storm’s effects on our house were limited to the outside and easily repairable. 

With grateful hearts, we walked out of that home for the last time a few months later on our tenth wedding anniversary. But there was one minor problem: there was no next house. 

Within days of moving everything we owned into storage, stories of unprecedented housing shortages began to make national headlines. It was suddenly the most challenging season to buy a house. What’s usually a time of excitement and anticipation was filled with doubt and feeling homesick. The family who bought our home posted a picture online of their first barbecue in my backyard. I just wanted to go home. 

My wife and I remained hopeful though that house hunting would be as easy as selling our house had been, so we began the search. We drove around neighborhoods for hours on the lookout for couples posting for-sale signs. We jumped at every phone notification, eager for a new listing on a real estate app, but there was little to be found. 

Within the first month of looking for houses every day while living with extended family, two amazing homes became available in our area. In such a competitive market, we learned the hard way to not get emotionally attached too soon. We were outbid both times by insane amounts of money. 

I cried out to the Lord in prayer: “Lord! We were confident we heard You say ‘go’ when we started down this road. Do You even see us?!” I felt I needed to tell the Lord to pay attention, but He was so kind and gentle in His response. He whispered, Go read Psalm 101. It was verse two that changed everything: “I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.” In my own home—this reassuring response and promise from the Lord, even after my venting and complaining, was His goodness and unfailing love on display. 

The psalmist David was quite confident in the Lord’s goodness and love when he wrote, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” He didn’t say maybe if we perform well enough or if we check every box. He said, “Surely.” Without a doubt. Definitely. No matter the storm. The Lord’s goodness is steadfast and sure. He also said, “All the days of my life”—not just my good ones. 

Are you facing uncertainty? When we take a moment to pause—a moment to stop running toward our attempt at a solution—God’s overwhelming goodness and mercy overtake us and carry us to what He has next. During seasons of uncertainty, God’s goodness and mercy have become my peace, and I know I can trust Him regardless of the outcome. 

For my family, the journey that started in the freeze of winter ended in the warmth of summer. As I write this, my kids are playing in their new backyard. The house the Lord brought to us is everything we desired—and more. Not because we’re special but because God’s goodness and mercy pursue us all the days of our lives. 

PRAYER 

Lord, thank You for Your ever-present goodness and mercy. Guide me by Your peace and promises despite the expectations I have and the uncertainty I may face. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION    

• Thank God for having a plan, even when we don’t.    
• Soften your heart to hear His voice over all your circumstances.    
• Pursue His peace and trust His promises.

Holy Spirit, what are You saying to me today?

MEMORY VERSE

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