“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life”
The Good Shepherd is pleased with us. He enjoys watching over His sheep. Why? Because He loves them! This verse reveals the motivation behind everything that the Shepherd does for us. The reason He takes us into the green pasture and beside the still water is because He loves us. His love for us is why He walks with us through the valley. It is love that is behind His guidance and His discipline. He prepares a table for you because…yes, that’s right…He loves you.
The song we learned as children says it simply;
“Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.”
It is God’s Word that gives testimony to the truth that God loves us. Each time I get the privilege to lead the chapel for our WEE Center I remind the children that the Bible tells us that God made us…God loves us…and God wants to take care of us. Isn’t that the same message that we receive from Psalm 23? And, isn’t it the same message that we see in the cross of Jesus on Calvary? It is His great love for us that motivated our Savior to give up His life. This, again, is what makes Him the Good Shepherd. He lays down His life for His sheep.
The word translated as “love” in this verse is “mercy” in some translations. That is not inaccurate since the word can be used either way. Whatever way it is translated it implies the other as well. Mercy and forgiveness is a result of genuine love. Conversely, love shows itself in mercy. The Scripture tells us that you can’t have one without the other. This truth is also illustrated on the cross, which not only demonstrates God’s love for us, but makes it possible for us to receive mercy and forgiveness.
The motivation for our salvation is love. God enjoys taking care of us because He loves us. And that love will follow you all the days of your life. It is relentless. It is a love that will not quit. He will not let you go.
“I will never leave you or forsake you”