“SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY ARE IN THIS PLACE”
Psalm 54:4 • Amos 3:7 • Psalm 23:6
Page 1 — Introduction: Murphey’s Law Vs God’s Promise
Church, I want to begin this morning with a word that every one of us has heard at some point in our lives. A word that has shaped the way people think, the way people talk, the way people expect their week to go. It’s a word that sounds wise, but it’s actually rooted in fear, not faith. You know it well: Murphy’s Law — “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”
People quote it like Scripture. They live by it like doctrine. They wake up expecting trouble, expecting stress, expecting the next shoe to drop. And if we’re not careful, we start living like that’s the truth.
But this morning, God has given us a better word. A stronger word. A covenant word. A word soaked in promise and dripping with hope.
That word is surely.
Not maybe. Not hopefully. Not if everything lines up just right. Not if the stars align and the weather cooperates.
Surely.
Say it with me, church — surely! Say it again — surely!
Surely God is my help. Surely God reveals His plans. Surely goodness and mercy follow me.
This morning, I want to preach on this truth: Surely goodness and mercy are in this place.
Page 2 — Surely God Is My Help (Psalm 54:4)
Psalm 54:4 declares, “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who keeps me going.”
Church, that means you didn’t get here today on your own strength. You didn’t make it through last week because you were tough enough. You didn’t survive the storm because you were smart enough. You didn’t endure the trial because you were strong enough.
You made it because God helped you.
He helped you when you didn’t even know you needed help. He kept you going when you thought you were done. He held you up when you felt like falling. He whispered strength into your spirit when your body was tired and your mind was weary.
Somebody here today can testify — “If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side, I wouldn’t be standing here.”
Surely God is my help.
Not maybe God will help.
Because Scripture declares with certainty: “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me” (Psalm 54:4).
God’s help is not a possibility—it is a promise. His faithfulness is not fragile; His commitment is not conditional. He is the God who comes, who rescues, who upholds His people with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Our confidence rests not in circumstances but in the unchanging character of the Helper who never fails.
Not I hope God will help.
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking—it is a confident expectation rooted in God’s revealed Word.
“The Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
God is not distant or unpredictable; He is a God who speaks, who reveals, who makes His intentions known. Our hope is anchored in His promises, His covenant, His proven track record of faithfulness. We don’t cross our fingers—we stand on His Word.
Not if I’m good enough God will help.
Because God’s help is grounded in His grace, not our performance.
“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
If God helped us at our worst, He will certainly sustain us now. His mercy is not earned; His kindness is not negotiated. He is the Father who runs to prodigals, the Shepherd who seeks the lost, the Savior who intercedes for the weak.
Our confidence is not in our goodness but in His.Surely.
That means God is already ahead of you. Already preparing your Monday. Already strengthening your steps. Already making a way where there seems to be no way.
Church, you don’t walk into tomorrow alone. You walk in with a surely.
Page 3 — Surely God Has a Plan (Amos 3:7)
Amos 3:7 tells us, “Surely the Lord God does nothing without letting His people know His plans.”
Murphy’s Law says, “Brace yourself — something bad is coming.” But God says, “Calm yourself — I’m already working.”
Murphy’s Law says, “Life is unpredictable.” But God says, “My plan is unshakable.”
Murphy’s Law says, “Expect the worst.” But God says, “Expect Me.”
Church, nothing surprises God. Nothing catches Him off guard. Nothing sneaks up on Him. Nothing confuses Him. Nothing overwhelms Him.
He is not pacing heaven wondering what to do next. He is not wringing His hands hoping things work out. He is not scrambling to fix what the enemy broke.
Surely God has a plan.
And not just a plan — a good plan. A plan to prosper you. A plan to guide you. A plan to protect you. A plan to reveal His glory in your life.
You may not see the whole picture, but God does. You may not understand the season, but God does. You may not know what tomorrow holds, but God does.
And He says, “Surely — surely — surely — I am working all things together for your good.”
Page 4 — Surely Goodness and Mercy Follow Me (Psalm 23:6)
Psalm 23:6 declares, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”
Church, that means you are not being followed by disaster. You are not being chased by doom. You are not being hunted by trouble. You are not being stalked by fear.
You are being followed by goodness. You are being followed by mercy.
Goodness is behind you. Mercy is behind you. Grace is behind you. Favor is behind you. Protection is behind you. Provision is behind you.
Everywhere you go — goodness and mercy go too.
When you walk into work — goodness and mercy walk in with you. When you sit at the doctor’s office — goodness and mercy sit down beside you. When you face a hard conversation — goodness and mercy stand behind you. When you lie down at night — goodness and mercy keep watch over you.
Church, you are not alone. You are not abandoned. You are not forgotten. You are not uncovered.
Surely goodness and mercy follow you — every single day.
Page 5 — Stop Living by Murphy’s Law
Murphy’s Law trains us to expect the worst. God’s Word trains us to expect Him.
Murphy’s Law says, “Something bad is coming.” God says, “Something good is already here.”
Murphy’s Law says, “Prepare for disaster.” God says, “Prepare for blessing.”
Murphy’s Law says, “Life is falling apart.” God says, “I am holding all things together.”
Church, you cannot live by Murphy’s Law and walk in God’s promises at the same time. You cannot expect doom and walk in joy. You cannot expect failure and walk in faith. You cannot expect trouble and walk in triumph.
Today, God is calling His people to shift their expectation. To lift their eyes. To raise their faith. To declare a new word over their life.
Not “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” But “surely goodness and mercy will follow me.”
Page 6 — Surely His Presence Is in This Place
Church, I want you to hear this deep in your spirit:
Surely His presence is in this place.
Not because we feel it — but because He promised it. Not because the music is good — but because His Word is true. Not because we deserve it — but because He is faithful.
Surely His presence is here to lift the weary. Surely His presence is here to heal the broken. Surely His presence is here to strengthen the weak. Surely His presence is here to restore the discouraged. Surely His presence is here to save the lost. Surely His presence is here to revive the church.
You didn’t walk into this sanctuary alone. You walked in surrounded by goodness. You walked in covered by mercy. You walked in held by grace. You walked in guided by His plan. You walked in strengthened by His help.
Surely — surely — surely — God is in this place.
Page 7 — Closing: Walk Into Your Week With Confidence
So today, church, don’t live by Murphy’s Law. Don’t expect everything to go wrong. Don’t walk into the week with fear or dread.
Walk in with confidence. Walk in with boldness. Walk in with faith. Walk in with expectation.
Walk in knowing this:
Surely God is with you. Surely His goodness is around you. Surely His mercy is covering you. Surely His plan is guiding you. Surely His presence is in this place — and in your life.
Let that truth guide your Monday. Let it carry you through your week. Let it carry you through the New Year. Let it anchor your heart. Let it steady your steps. Let it fill you with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
And may the God of goodness and mercy bless your day, your home, your family, and your journey — in Jesus’ mighty name.
Amen and amen.
