Week 6 - Psalm 23:6

4/27/2020

Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

When the sheep listen to and obey the shepherd it is for their good and their flourishing. As Matt pointed out, part of misunderstanding the character of God is also misunderstanding his intention for our obedience. He is not looking for begrudging submission. Rather, his commands are intended to bring us joy because they bring him glory and are for our good.

When you think about obedience, is “goodness” something that you imagine it leading you toward? What situations make it difficult to believe that God wants good things for you? How does this affect your obedience and trust in Him?

In what ways does goodness follow us because Jesus is the Good Shepherd?

Inevitably, no matter how faithfully we pursue obedience, there will be times in which we fail. That’s true in every area of life. We will come up short before God, in our marriages, in our jobs, in our friendships, and so on. That’s why the second characteristic that chases after those who follow the Lord is so significant.

How do you tend to respond to your own failures? In what ways do you find it difficult to believe that God would respond to them with mercy rather than punishment?

Where are you in need of mercy today? How should the truth that God’s mercy follows you through faith in Christ meet you in that need?

6 Comments

James Brown link

4/28/2020 07:46:08 am

Romans 15:8 [AKJV]: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Colossians 1:25-26 [AKJV]: Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God, Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." The word fulfil is defined in Strong's Concordance # 4137 (IV) (B) as "Of a business or work, to accomplish, finish, complete. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [AKJV]: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect [Strong's # 739; complete], throughly furnished unto all good works. Hebrews 11:40 [AKJV]: "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." 2 Timothy 2 [AKJV]: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of truth."

David had law, and the exercising of faith in works to be accepted. We, if believers in the gospel ["For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried and that he arose again the third day according to the scripture" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 [AKJV] given to us by Paul] if we have believed will see the grace apart from works, that is given now but David could only speak of mercy. Grace spoken of twice in Psalms; 45:2 and 84:11 [AKJV] in which God speaking of Himself in Christ, the future to all those who will believe Paul's gospel: Romans 2:16 [AKJV}:

Renee Stebbeds

4/30/2020 08:44:11 am

What a powerful ending to this powerful chapter.
God with us. I love how he took us back to verse three, “he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the ‘right’ paths, for His name’s sake.”....our righteousness is not contingent on us or our actions. But His alone. Having been raised in a most legalistic and works oriented religion, and even though I have been free from that for years, I have found that over these years my tendency has been towards obedience out of legality never actually with the thought of being lead to “goodness” as is seen in this chapter. However, our good shepherd continues to example before me in mercy that obedience leads to sweet communion not only with Him but with those around me as I obediently walk according to His word in a way that simply obeying out of legality never did....

As I fail, I now understand that my righteousness has not been broken or undone, that I have mercy to get back up on that ‘right’ path and continue doing the next right thing not allowing my failures to hinder my communion with Him even though they may hinder my communion with others....fall down, get up, fall down get up, each time becoming more obedient to and in His goodness.

As I walk and learn more of His mercy and goodness, in the difficulties and green pastures of life, I am more and more compelled to offer it to others in spite of their “obedience through legality”, in spite of the lack of communion we may have....
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me, pursue me, has followed me, has pursued me, all the days of me life.
Thank you Father.

Toni Muller

5/2/2020 05:35:41 pm

Thank you for the encouragement of your testimony, Renee. I am so glad God brought you to EBF!

5/2/2020 11:42:18 am

Most will take this the wrong way and not as intended, I do understand that all scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, 2 Tim 3:16a. Knowing that why do most studies and sermons come from other than what Paul received, through his epistles, from the risen Christ [Gal 1:11-12]? One should, I believe read and use those scriptures by Paul as wrote "For whatosever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:8.

Several over the past 6 weeks have spoken of mercy. To me mercy was shown of God to the whole human race by not destroying the whole thing [Titus 1:2]. Grace is given more so to those who have believed the gospel: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our [my] sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures;"
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Then when we do believe we are "For by grace [not mercy] are we saved through faith [His faithfulness to us and His Word, 2 Tim 2:13] and that not of your selves [all Him and none of me] it is the gift [freely given] of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Galatians 2:8-9 [but better from Gal 2:5-10.

That in part is why I am now again sitting under the teaching of Pastor Roberts who to the best of my knowledge teaches mostly from Paul's epistles, Thank You.

5/2/2020 05:33:07 pm

I do think of obedience leading to “goodness”, but my definition of “goodness” has not always been biblical. The belief that “If I seek to do things God’s way, things will go well for me” runs so deep. He has indeed blessed me in tangible ways, but there have also been trials that I would have never imagined. Often I think of what God said to Abraham, “I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Gen 15:1). HE is goodness personified. He is leading us to HIM and HE is pursuing us. Knowing Him is the greatest goodness we could ever know – and of course, He also throws in many undeserved “good things,” too. When I have this perspective, obedience is more of a joy, rather than an obligation.

When I sin and fail,I find myself less and less beating myself up, being surprised by failure, making promises to do better, etc. I am finding myself reveling more and more in his amazing grace – thanks be to God! It is so much easier to admit to and confess to sin when we are not trying to maintain our own righteousness, but trusting in his grace.

I need His mercy every day for attitudes and actions that show just how much of a sheep I am, how imperfect I am.

sheri

5/3/2020 01:33:12 pm

The Lord's perfect timing was revealed with this last session. It was so heart righting and I needed to hear exactly what I did. I am so thankful to Jesus. The video ministered to my heart in a huge way and that has made all the difference this week. I was in despair and His truth pulled me right out. Thank you Jesus for Your love! (sorry I did not answer the questions, I am just dwelling in His fullness.) xo

Week 6 - Psalm 23:6

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