Real Hope: Psalm 23Sample

Ever Present Goodness and Mercy

This magnificent psalm was written by King David when he was perhaps around 26 years old and, although possibly inexperienced, it seems as though he had already encountered some of life’s greatest challenges, that is: the possibility of death, and attack by significant enemies (vv 4–5).

It is a ‘sweet’ psalm of dependence on God, but it is also a real psalm by someone who has proven the nearness and comfort of God. This is not some theologically correct treatise on what God might be like. And it is not some ‘wish-and-happenstance’ statement of willing that good things might happen to David as his life progresses.

David’s confident affirmation that ‘surely’ goodness and mercy shall follow him all the days of his life’ seems to come from a revelation of ‘that is what I am living in now and I am anticipating that it will continue’. David had discovered that ‘goodness’ and ‘mercy’ had become the active, present and tangible personification of the presence of the Lord in his life.

I thank God for my own challenges during my past 72 years when shadowy valleys and lurking enemies seemed to be near and when Christ’s goodness and mercy seemed to be nearer.

Irrespective of what you are going through now, can I suggest that you ask Christ to help you find and depend on His ever-present goodness and mercy?

Written by JOHN SCOTT

Want more? Check out the Real Hope Conversations Podcast and delve deeper into our conversation about Psalm 23. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.