Encouragements for our troubled times No. 29
COVID-19 Series | Date: 08 October 2020
The Elders and Deacons want to encourage the members and those who regularly meet with us through this weekly letter. If you have news which you would be happy to share with the fellowship or request for prayer, then please let us know.
A message from our Pastor
Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
David ends this beautiful psalm on a note of complete confidence and contentment. Like a sheep, who knows that it can trust its shepherd because he has always been by its side; leading it safely every step of the way, providing for its every need, and protecting it from every danger. So, David can say “Surely”; which is not a question but a statement of one who has no doubts whatsoever.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;”. David is absolutely convinced that, every day of his life, to the very end of his life, he will know God’s goodness to him. Every manner of good, God will show him and everything that is good for him will be provided. God is goodness itself and everything He is, everything He plans and purposes, and everything He does is good and from the goodness of His heart. Even the chastisements of God are good and meant for our good. And why is our God so good to us? It’s not because we deserve it. The sheep do nothing deserving of the shepherd’s goodness. Even as Gods sheep, we only do that which is our duty. We can never repay what we owe to Him. He is so good to us because He is a God of mercy and His mercy abounds to us every day of our lives. Gods mercy is His loving kindness shown to those who deserve nothing from Him whatsoever. So, if we are His sheep then, we can be sure that His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives because it doesn’t count on us or anything that we do, but on Gods free grace.
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Again, David is absolutely confident that he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Normally sheep do not dwell in the house of the shepherd. They live out in his fields or in his sheep pens or barn. Looked after and cared for, but separated from him and his family. But there are exceptions. When a lamb has lost its mother, the shepherd may bring it into his home to be nursed and cared for by his family. It has been known for these hand-reared lambs to become family pets, loved and pampered, and have the run of the home. We, as God’s own sheep, who are loved by Him with an everlasting love, know that we shall ever dwell with Him. Not at a distance, but in His bosom, being loved and cared for by Him forever.
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”