David is
emotional. Here he is affected by the thoughts of running oil down his head and
an overflowing heart. With a sense of wonder, generated by the moment, David is
convinced about what is following. ‘Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Within the
Scriptures we have numerous episodes of his history. Does it bear out this
assurance?
Surely it
does! Goodness (of God’s grace and covenant) and mercy (God keeps His word) did
follow David. It is to the Shepherd’s honour that He didn’t kick this sheep out
of the fold. It was fortunate for David and maybe for you, definitely for me,
when we wear His brand the Shepherd always seeks the wayward sheep. David’s
story is one of great privileges, promises and achievements. It is also one of
great betrayal, a father’s stupidity mixed with a spiritual ‘dark hole.’ Where
can we see ‘goodness and mercy’ in his life?
It
emerges from the wonder of God’s covenant. When He makes one with the nation or
the individual He keeps it. Discipline is meted out for protracted insolence
and rebellion, mercy is provided for repentance. Consequences for actions done
are inevitable, but, God’s goodness offers comfort and hope. All of this is
wrapped up in psalm 51. What David wrote in younger days and with emotion
proved valid in his later and more turbulent years! Over and over his psalms
vibrate with God’s steadfast love, faithfulness and mercy. From our
perspective, words written by Paul to the folk at Rome promise a similar
assurance. ‘We know that all things work together for good for those who love
God, who are called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8:28)
However,
for Goodness and mercy and other blessings from God to follow us has a
‘depends’ clause. A father’s advice to his son explains it well enough. In
Proverbs 4 the father uses such words as, keep you heart with all diligence,
put away crooked speech and devious talk and don’t swerve from the path. Our
Good Shepherd has endorsed those words elsewhere in His book of life. Sometimes
we feel that the path of right living is restrictive and we are tempted to take
detours. The word for paths in psalm 23:3 defines it as a ‘path for
wagons.’ God’s lifestyle for us has space
for us to enjoy the pleasures of His company and calling. He gives us the privilege
of exercising our gifts and abilities with a proviso’ ‘Whatever you do, do as
unto the Lord!’
To change
the metaphor, we are warned that even as ‘sheep in His fold’ we will reap what
we sow.’ We are deceived if we imagine we can sow to our sinful nature and reap
spiritual blessings! In fact such thinking is a form of mockery to our Saviour
Shepherd’s word and character. We are not to presume upon Him and His grace and
mercy to us. Fortunately, God’s gift of repentance is available for us to
grasp, embrace and unleash within our heart. We will still know the fallout
from our detours or bad seeds sown, but God’s mercy lessens their impact. To
know the forgiveness of God is to bow before Him in awe. It is to appreciate
the power of grace won for us at Calvary’s cross. It is to offer back to Him
our heart, now broken, but healed, and contrite yet joyful. It is as the
forgiven, the restored, the humbled we are able to bear testimony to what it
means to know Him, walk with Him and worship Him, the One we call Jesus.
It is by
repentance we get back onto the right path. It is then our Lord is able to let
loose ‘goodness and mercy’ to chase after us. It is when we are following the
Shepherd a confidence arises. This happens despite our previous stupidity. Once
again we can do no better than quote the one who knew this truth. ‘I believe
that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for
the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.’
Signed David, son of Jesse, King of Israel, psalm 27:13, 14.
To be
concluded next week.
©Ray
Hawkins. March 2016.
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