“ Surely Goodness…” Psalm 23:6
For a long time I was confused about this word, “goodness”. What is good?
If my family and I go to Olive Garden and the new dish we try is delicious we will say “It’s good.”
If I find a person to be exceedingly kind or giving or righteous, I will identify them as a “good” person.
So when I started meditating on this verse months ago, “surely goodness…will follow me all the days of my life”, I mistakenly thought that goodness following me meant God would be constantly making me more and more righteous, conforming me to His image as it were; But the word goodness used here has more to do with favor or blessing than it does with righteousness. To have goodness following me means that the blessing of God is constantly upon my life. Practically it means that everything that happens to me will somehow work out for my benefit.
The Bible bears this out in the writing of the Apostle Paul, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
That means everything, even the bad stuff, is bringing about a blessing for my life if I follow it to its conclusion….And there is the rub. So many times we fail to receive the goodness because we don’t continue to walk with God in a situation until He can bring the blessing out of it: We get fed up and leave the church; We get sick of being sick and grow bitter with Jesus who has “held up” our healing; We get tired of waiting for that certain someone to change and walk out on the relationship.
Somehow though if we can just keep next to the Shepherd in the midst of our circumstance He will cause His blessing and goodness to follow us all the days of our lives.
So how is goodness following you today?
Reinventing the We'll 
Wow Pastor J . . what a confirmation to me. I have noticed a shift in my attitude. Years upon years go by and one begins to wonder, you know? Where did I mess up? But what if it’s not about me messing up, but just needing to trust Him for the out come, to see the goodness that is following me instead of looking at things like the world does. I grow more and more excited. No big breakthroughs but that we are still here is a break through in itself! 🙂 Thank you and God bless you as you take us through Psalm 23.
And God bless you Debbie. Your faithfullness is an inspiration to all who read your work! The big break throughs are on the way, We will see them with our own eyes as we continue to walk in His favor with patience.
Hi Pastor J,
Goodness is following me, because when I’m going through trials and tribulations, I’m realizing that if God brought me to it, He will surely bring me through it! Even when I don’t see any good in what I’m going through, I believe what God’s word says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
May the favor of the Lord continue to rest upon your life!
Paulette
Indeed that prayer of yours was answered this weekend Paulette. My body melted down but God kept my spirit in the palm of His hand! His favor does rest with me though I may never understand why! Thank you for this great comment.
God Bless you Pastor J, for sharing Psalm 23 with us, your teachings are so powerful. How awesome it is that we have a God that tells us the outcome of our trials if we just stand on the promise of Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” I admit it is hard to stay focused on the promise when you are knee deep in a trial but if you do “surely goodness” is to come to those who love Him. Lord help me to stay focused on your promises no matter what comes my way.
And “He who has begun a good work will be faithful to complete it” Deb! When our eyes can’t see it He will be our vision!
Thank you, Pastor J, for the beautiful contemplation on the word “Goodness”.
I loved the link between the Psalm and Romans 8:28 .. I read the Bible in Arabic, my mother tongue, and as you said the word “Goodness” here is basicly translated to a word meaning beneficial blessings or gifts literally “Benevolence” or “Well-being”.
Ps. I love your in-depth studies, how could anyone possibly contemplate on Psalm 23 on 19 parts and still not finish?!
Mike what a blessing to be able to read the Book in Arabic! I have to be honest as I work through the Psalm I am finding lots I am leaving out in the meditation! 🙂