23: Treasures Within Psalm 23Sample

23

DAY 6: GOODNESS & MERCY

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

In addition to the grace that made way for our salvation, this verse is perfect if we ever needed a formal guarantee or seal of approval to solidify our spiritual warranty with God. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life” is the insurance policy some of us have been looking for our entire lives. We can walk in the confidence that goodness and mercy are always available to us as believers. How many of us can guarantee that our spouse will always be faithful? Can your employer promise that you will always have a job at that company beyond a shadow of a doubt? Even car insurance has limitations and isn’t always an unwavering certainty. Because we live in a fallen world and we battle a real enemy, we will have numerous opportunities to be fearful, hopeless, and anxious in this life. Trials and triumphs will come and go, but God’s mercy never fails. The bible says His mercy is abundant and has given us new birth (1 Peter 1:3). He shows mercy when we deserve judgment and shows grace when we have not earned it. That is what absolute goodness looks like. I believe “dwelling in the house of the Lord forever” means more than just abiding with the Father when we go home to heaven. I believe God wants us to reap those rewards here on earth as well. Dwelling in His house here on earth, aside from the literal sense of serving the body of Christ in a local church, affords us access to the benefit of His resources. A peace that surpasses all understanding, His strength in our weakness, the desires of our heart, the fruits of the Spirit, and abundance of prosperity and security are what I consider benefits here on earth. Our eternity is sealed, and our place with the Father is solidified, but until that day, we can rest in knowing and receiving God’s goodness and mercy.

CHALLENGE:

What does God's goodness and mercy in your life look like?

What are ways you have benefited here on earth from understanding what it means to 'dwell in the house of the Lord forever'?