Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
We are almost done with our look at "Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart" by Elizabeth George. This is a study of Psalm 23. In Chapter 11 Elizabeth George looks at Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life”.
We know about God’s care for us in the past and present. In this verse, we look to God’s promises and see how He takes care of us in the future.
“Our walk with God, with our Good Shepherd shifts from the present tense (is, makes, leads, restores) to future tense (shall and will). We’re assured that God has planned and knows our futures, and He promises to take care of our every need forever.”
In verse 6, David begins with “surely”. He moves from experiencing what God has done for him and how He has provided for him to faith, every moment of his future! David is confident that God has his future.
The author says “hope is what verse 6 is all about – hope for all our tomorrows. And for all our forever-days!”
“Our natural tendency is to fear the unknown. What we don’t know and don’t understand generally bothers us and shakes our confidence. … We can easily get caught up in wondering Is there really hope?”
Have you ever been there? Most definitely. We all have. I have.
Not only did David confidently proclaim “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” but we can proclaim it too!
Take a moment and list a few things of how God has been faithful to you.
“God will faithfully and successfully shepherd you in and through the future! … As His cherished sheep, you never have to lack hope. You have His promised goodness and mercy to cling to and depend on and celebrate all the days of your life. … Realize you face the unknown with the known – with the proven, extended care of God, your Good Shepherd, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
“We have the sure promise of the presence of God’s goodness and mercy forever. God will be with us at dawn, at noonday, in the evening and through the dark night of each and every day. When you need His strength for your life’s work each day, God will be there, extending to you all His goodness and mercy. When you need His support for life’s trials, when you move from green pastures to a dark valley, you can hold tightly to the hope of the promise of God’s continual goodness and mercy.”
Here are two thought provoking questions the author asks at the end of Chapter 11. Take a moment and ask yourself these questions:
1. Throughout our walk with the Shepherd in Psalm 23, we’ve focused on what we consider our needs and God’s gracious provision for those needs.
a. What present difficulties are you dealing with?
b. How does God’s goodness and mercy provide hope and encouragement in your trials?
Remember today that you indeed have hope in God.
Let’s pray. Father, we thank You for the hope we have in You. We thank You that not only do You take care of our past and present, but You also take care of our future. Help us not to get caught up in the fear of the unknown. Thank You for being faithful to us in all things. We give You praise! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessings,
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