From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Ps. 23:6)
Psalm
23 reminds the sheep of the sovereign guardianship of the Good Shepherd
over them and that He attends to
every detail of their lives. These last words direct us to the
evidences of heavenly custody as revealed in the lives of every one of
His sheep. His sheep are not abandoned to self-desire and
self-preservation. They are purchased with the high price of the blood
of the Shepherd and are precious and priceless in His sight. He will
not permit His sheep to wander far from His watchful eye. He will be
with them always!
The
word “surely” means that it is a true guarantee. Thus, we are made to
understand that what is written after this word has the stamp of
heaven’s guarantee, a surety as God Himself. It will not be denied the
sheep. As is God so is His guarantee,
the same yesterday, today, and forever. God’s promises are not
diminished by time.
The
word “follow” has the force of running after or chasing after, as a
hound in a heated pursuit of a fox. It is a relentless unbridled
panting after the prey. Nothing will restrain the hounds but the
complete surrender and captivity of their prey. Let us fix this in the
setting of the passage and the sovereign providence of God.
The
sheep of the Good Shepherd are in possession of a heavenly guarantee
that His hounds of “goodness and mercy” will relentlessly pursue them
all the days of their lives. God in His providence has pre-ordained His
sheep to live in the brightness of His goodness and mercy because the
glory of His Name is at stake. A shepherd’s reputation is judged by the
provisional well being of his sheep. The Good Shepherd will not permit
His reputation to be damaged; therefore, He unleashes the hounds
“goodness and mercy” for the preservation and consecration of the sheep
for His Name’s sake.
This
fact providentially brings His purchased possessions to joyfully settle
down in the house and presence of the Lord forever.
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