GODLY PURSUIT

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live. — Psalm 23:6 CSB

The last verse of this psalm sums up what David has learned about the Lord through his life experience. 

When he looks back at his life, he sees that God’s goodness and faithful love have pursued him his whole life. Some of you, like me, memorized this verse the following way: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” When I would read that goodness and mercy would follow me, it seemed to be somewhat passive in my life, that these two great things would be trailing behind me, just following along. Subconsciously, I would think of them as not really being there for me but just always a little behind me. However, that word “follow” is better translated as “pursue.” This word in Psalm 23 means to pursue, to chase down with the intent of securing or catching. God’s love and mercy are not just tagging along behind us just out of reach; they are actively pursuing us and chasing us down. David had been pursued by his enemies throughout his life, most notably by Saul. Saul chased David for years and never caught him. David’s other enemies pursued him but never caught him. As David reflected on his life, he realized that God’s goodness and faithful love had pursued him throughout his life, and unlike his other enemies, they caught him. David experienced God’s goodness throughout his life. The same is true of us. God’s goodness chases us down. He is good to us when we do not even see it. He is good to us in the midst of our hardest days and seasons. At times our circumstances and problems cause us to forget God’s goodness. James warned about this when he wrote:

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.— James 1:16-17

God is good, and His goodness chases after His children. Not only do we experience His goodness, but His faithful love, or mercy, also pursues us. He is faithful to us even when we are not faithful to him. David knew this just as well as anyone. We do not deserve God’s mercy, but His faithful love chases after us despite our shortcomings. God’s goodness and mercy do not change; He is constant. Even when He disciplines us or allows us to go through hard times, He is still beside us.

Not only are we being pursued by God’s goodness and faithful love, but we can also look forward to dwelling in His house. He has promised eternal life to those who place their faith in Him. We will dwell in His courts forever, not because of our goodness but because of His promise to us. He has accomplished the work. 

Regardless of what season of life you are in, God is constant. Whether you find yourself in the midst of a dark valley or you are in a calm meadow with the sun shining, God’s goodness and faithful love are pursuing you. Take some time to reflect on your life, and you will see this is true. And after you have reflected, take some time to look forward and rest in the future that awaits God’s children. God’s goodness and faithful love surround us.