Facing The Future
August 12, 2012
Psalms 23:6
Today we are going to conclude our series on Psalm 23. As I’ve thought about this Psalm, I really think the last 2 verses are the hardest to accept. Think about the world we live in, the pain and the suffering and consider what David tells us ~
God prepares a table for us, even in the midst of our enemies
Our cup overflows
Goodness, mercy and loving kindness will follow me
I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.
Those are some pretty lofty promises and hopes God places before us. In my cynical way of looking at things, my first assumption is that this is only for the really, really good people in life. These are for the those Christian saints who have life figured out — with no pain and suffering.
Then I started to think about the people I know, people I would consider for sainthood. I thought about some of you. As I thought about each person, I realized they all have suffered, they’ve all endured hardship and tragedy. They’ve lost children or grandchildren to death. They’ve suffered physically or emotionally. So, my first premise, which I knew was flawed before I even started, was all wrong.
So, what does David mean when he tells us, Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
As we look at the world around us, we read about the shootings at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin; movie theater shootings in Colorado; bombings in the middle east; senseless crimes, droughts, floods, sickness and more, and we collectively question “where is God? Where is God when we’re hurting? How does any of this make sense?”
Maybe this is why so many watch the Olympics and other programs, they’re great escapes from our troubles and we get to see someone overcome a difficult life; or just simply succeed, and it gives us a glimmer of hope.
We all worry. We worry and wonder about money – for today and for retirement. What about my health . . . will I live a long healthy life? Will I die too soon? Will I suffer, will my family suffer? Will I get that new job? Will I find real love?
If you’re younger - you worry about school, sports, grades, boys, girls, friends, looks, parents, acceptance, the future, as well as money. It’s all there as well . . .
Will I . . . Can I . . . Should I . . . If only I . . .
We ask, more often than not, because we’re consumed by fear of what the future may bring. So, David concluded this Psalm with the statement ~
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
According to David, there is no fear of the future. There is no anxiety – no worry about tomorrow. Even thought David always seemed to be running and afraid for his life; even thought he seemed to cry out pretty regularly to God, he still seemed to have this unwavering trust and faith that God would always be there for him. He’s confident and filled with hope. Do you have that confidence and trust?
Let’s take a look at what he’s getting at here ~
What’s going to follow us? Goodness and mercy or loving kindness. The image I get is this ~ God is the Good Shepherd. He leads us. Just like any good shepherd, God is our leader, He will lead us to the right places, even if we don’t agree or like the journey. Our job is to follow, to be obedient to God’s call.
Following are God’s sheep dogs named “Goodness” and “Mercy.” They will be nipping at us – in a good way – from behind, barking out words of encouragement. They’ll be making sure we stay on the right path, so that we can get to the right destination. Because we know how easy it is to get off the right path — which seems difficult — in order to get on the wrong path — which seems easier.
They’re like God’s angels, watching over us, helping us move in the direction God wants. Remember, these dogs are not out to scare or hurt us. They’re there to protect us, sometimes from ourselves, one another and the predators which are out there. God sends them because of one reason . . . He loves us!!
In Romans 2:4, Paul wrote these words . . . Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, NOT KNOWING THAT THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADS YOU TO REPENTANCE? (NKJV)
Do you see that? Do we understand that God’s goodness and kindness will lead us to repentance? When we stray off the path, God does not send a pit bull after you; He doesn’t zap you with a lightening bolt; He doesn’t yell at you; He doesn’t throw rocks at you; or even tell you that you deserve what’s coming. Nope, God doesn’t do that . . . He sends the dogs out after you, because He loves you.
He wants you to know Him, in a very personal way. He wants you to have more than head knowledge of Him, because even the devil does, but God wants you to have a real relationship with Him. He wants you to know – you can count on Him! He will always be there for you!
He will NOT fail you!
He will NOT forsake you!
He will NOT run from you!
He will NOT abandon you!
Instead, He promises to be with you . . . today and always! God’s goodness should lead us to consider what He does for us, how God has blessed us, even in spite of ourselves and others. Too often, I believe we’re looking for these huge mountain top blessings, when it’s the small blessings which help us make it through the tough times. So, stop, and consider, meditate, think, feel . . . how God has been a very real presence and blessed you in your life.
And along with God’s goodness, we receive His mercy. In Exodus 34, after Moses had finished cutting the Ten Commandments, we read this ~
5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
6 The LORD passed before Moses and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. (ESV)
What a great proclamation for the LORD. Do you hear and see what God was saying? Firstly, when God referred to Himself, He calls Himself Yahweh, the personal, relational name for God. He’s reminding Moses and us, He is personal and wants to be in relationship with us.
Secondly, He is reminding us that He is a God of grace and mercy. Remember, the difference between mercy and grace?
Mercy - we don’t receive what we deserve.
Grace - we receive what we don’t deserve.
Think of it this way. We deserve punishment because we’re sinners, but because of God’s mercy - we don’t receive what we deserve - - His punishment.
Instead we receive God’s grace and receive what we don’t deserve – Father, Son and Holy Spirit - - God’s presence, hope, love, power, forgiveness and eternal life.
So, those pesky dogs named Mercy and Goodness wonderfully and amazingly will follow us all the days of our lives. Not just to church, but everywhere. We just need to open the eyes of our heart, spirit and mind and embrace the joy of having goodness and mercy hanging with us all the days of our lives.
Anyone who doesn’t want that following you?! I certainly want the dogs reminding me, “hey Michael . . . God loves you. Hey did you open your heart today . . . did you see that blessing I sent you? Did you notice that car which didn’t hit you? Did your ear heal after you stupidly cut it open?” I can take that, can’t you?
Lastly, we read that we will dwell in the house of the LORD . . . forever!
I believe this has 2 basic points. The present and the future.
God has promised us He will always be with us; and if this world, as crazy as it is, is really God’s world, then we need to know and trust that we really are dwelling in the house of the Lord, today! We need to trust in His promise, that He is with us, in the great times and in the difficult times. Paul asked this question in Romans 8 ~
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Can I get an AMEN from anyone! That’s our God! He’s not going to leave you. No matter what is happening in your world. God promises He’s with you, today and tomorrow and always. That’s where our faith comes in.
So, this verse helps us see the present and future reality that Christ is with us, and we dwell in His presence under His protection. We all want to dwell under the protection of the Lord. He seeks to care for us as a mother hen watches over her chicks. We want to enjoy God’s presence, find protection and have His peace.
NOW to take this a bit further and the way I usually close the grave side portion of the funerals I perform, is to segue this verse with John 14, where Jesus tells us ~
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You see, I take the fact that in Psalm 23 we read, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever with this passage as the future reality of what we receive when we die in Christ. We will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever, in the very mansion, in the house the Lord has built for us. Our heavenly home is built for us by our God who tells us don’t worry, I’ve got your back.
Jesus told the disciples He had to leave, there were lots of reasons, and this is one of them . . . so He could prepare a place just for you. And He promises to come back, so that you also may be where He is . . . dwelling in the house of the LORD . . . forever. That’s great news!!
We started this series on July 8th, and I ended that message and end this message with the same words ~ The Lord is my Shepherd, that’s all I want, that’s all I need.
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV)
