DAILY DEVOTIONAL: JUNE 23 IF THE LORD IS YOUR SHEPHERD (6) SCRPTURE: PSALM 23: 6
King David’s absolute trust and confidence in the LORD as his shepherd is clearly expressed in Psalm 23: 6. David, knowing that the LORD is his shepherd looked away from whatever happened in his presence but looks into the future before him and said “surely.” This “surely” is expression of certainty, an assurance and hopefulness. There will be threats from his enemies within and without, yet he said “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” King David looked back to his past life painted with ugly memories. He could see when King Saul was pursuing him up and down to kill him. He could see his adulterous advancement towards Bathsheba and how Uriah was killed by his command to cover his sin. Yet he said “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.” He was not oblivious of his sins but trusted in the loving kindness of the LORD his shepherd and knew that surely the LORD’s goodness and mercy was following him.
A good shepherd does not deny his flock for straying away at times. Even when the flock is missing, it knows that its shepherd will come searching to take it home. Reason David expressed hope and confidence that “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” King David refused his past dirty life block his confidence in God. We Christians saying that the LORD is our shepherd ought to have this confidence of David. As long as the LORD leads us as His sheep, we should be sure that goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. Charles Spurgeon referred to this goodness and mercy as “twin guardian angels.” He also said that “These twain guardian angels will always be with me at my back and beck…”
What make Christians believers of God and Jesus Christ is the absolute trust and confidence that they are always in the hands of “Good Shepherd and a great Shepherd.” As believers, we must believe that in the black or dark days as well as bright days, goodness and mercy will not depart our ways. When the LORD is leading us on, goodness supplies our needs while mercy blots out our sins. This is because the LORD is our shepherd. Let us allow ourselves be weighing down with negative thoughts seeing impossibilities around us no matter what. Let us trust the ability of our Shepherds (Jesus Christ and the Almighty God). Trusting the LORD as his shepherd established King David. We Christians are to trust our LORD Jesus and our Almighty Father as our Shepherds. We will surely be established.
PRAYER:
Blessed Father, as from today, I cast my trust and confidence on you and your Son Jesus Christ, expecting goodness and mercy to watch over me all the days of my life. Thank you for opening my spiritual eyes into this truth today!
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
