Journey: A New Believer's Guide to Spiritual GrowthSample

Goodness and Love -- God’s Favor

You might be familiar with Psalm 23 because of the famous line, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me." While this line might be the most familiar, the entire psalm is filled with an expression of God's great love. 

This final verse of Psalm 23 personifies goodness and love as something that follows David the author. Usually, we are the ones chasing goodness and love for ourselves, but here you have goodness and love doing the chasing! This is a beautiful picture of God's goodness and love in pursuit of us. 

Then David caps off the psalm with a declaration that he will be in the house of the Lord forever. David's response to all of God's favor is to be close to God. 

Did you know God's goodness and love are chasing you down? Sometimes we can run from it though! Have you stopped and let God's goodness and love catch up to you? Maybe you're busy with this or that and you've outrun some of God's favor. Today take some time to meditate on God's goodness and love in your life, and you'll probably find even more catching up to you.

Today might be a busy day with lots to do, but remember to take time to sharpen the ax so to speak. If you'll quiet your heart and use this devotional time well, you'll slice through this day much better than if you didn't take time with God. 

Make a list of how God has been good to you in the last 30 days. Think of your family, your health, your career, your emotions, your finances. How has God been good to you in those areas and others? Then pray over those items. Thank the Lord and if some still need a breakthrough, then pray that God helps you. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to set aside all the things that need to be done today. Help me focus on your truths and open my heart to what You might say to me. Put my thoughts on you without distraction. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.