DEVOTION//Better than following

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6, KJV).

Years ago, I never found much comfort in knowing that God's goodness and mercy would follow me.

I grew up hearing the King James Version of the Bible read at worship and in my home. That's why the final verse of Psalm 23 never sounded like good news.

The King James translators had King David write, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

Goodness and mercy follow

I pictured God's goodness and mercy tagging along behind me a bit like my pet terrier. Penny would often be distracted by trees and squirrels and chattering birds. But she followed me. Not at my side. Not leading the way. But lagging behind.

Years later, the NIV became the translation of choice for me. But it too says that God's "goodness and love will follow me."

Goodness and mercy pursue

Follow is not an improper translation of that Hebrew verb. But it is inadequate here. "Radaph" is the Hebrew word. It means to pursue, to chase, to persecute. It's the word that describes how the Pharaoh's army pursed (radaph) the Israelites into the Red Sea (Exodus 14:23). Isaiah says of Israel's leaders: "Your rulers are rebels,… they all love bribes and chase (radaph) after gifts" (Isaiah 1:23).

There's a promise of God I can find comfort in. The LORD is so committed to me, even when I am not paying sufficient attention to the path I should be taking, that his goodness and mercy are pursuing me, chasing me, even hunting for me.

I often flee from God's will. OK, let me be honest. I daily flee from God's will for me. (Ask me if I have spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer today.) I can insist that I must determine my plans. I can believe that I must set goals that make sense to me. I can convince myself that my directions for my life are better than anything God can design.

Yet, when I head off into the wilderness, his goodness and love pursue me until they find me. They call me back to my Shepherd's side. They lead me to green pastures and quiet waters. They ensure I am sheltered by my Shepherd's rod and staff. They bring me back to the Good Shepherd who "lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

"Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever" (Evangelical Heritage Version).

That comforts me.

Now excuse me. I need to run off for that prayer and Bible reading time I've missed so far today.