They are Chasing Me Right Now!
What a privilege to be the object of such love.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: Psalm 23:6
Surely
Surely means only, no doubt, exclusively, altogether, yea, however, and is an assertion, so you get the picture. Undoubtedly, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. They are the only things following me exclusively. Troubles do not chase me down, but goodness and mercy do. Only goodness and mercy shall follow me.
Now, isn't that a wonderful truth that David expresses? David could have thought Absalom and Ahitophel were chasing me and about to catch me. He could have said something like the African American Spiritual, "Nobody knows the trouble and sorrow I have seen that have almost put me on the ground." He could have said, "I have trials and troubles," but he only saw goodness and mercy.
Goodness
David sees that goodness is always on his heels. The Shepherd ensures pleasing, pleasant prosperity is part of His sheep's life. I AM cheers up or makes David joyful even in the midst of the worst battle.
Following the Shepherd causes delightful things that are good for the sheep to follow after him. I AM has benefits, happiness, and even luxury prepared for those who are His.
Following Jesus brings good things into our lives. The abundant life is happiness, beauty, and even good health.
Do you see it? David is suffering. He surrendered his palace, wives, position, and everything in shame. David is in hiding with his loyal soldiers but still in hiding, waiting for the attack. But what does he see?
David sees that I AM is his Shepherd. The Shepherd always has, is, and will make sure he lacks nothing, eats so much he has to lie down, and rests in a beautiful area with plenty of pleasant water to drink. The Shepherd refreshes David when he is low, discouraged, depressed, and disheartened. I AM leads David, never leaves him in the darkest valley, but instead prepares a banquet and lifts his head, causing his cup to run over.
Now, David sees pleasant, delightful goodness in his life.
How do you do that? You see the Shepherd, not the soldiers. You meditate on who you belong to more than what is happening to you at the moment.
Mercy
Mercy here speaks of goodness and kindness. David sees the Shepherd doing him favors and benefiting him. David sees his Shepherd rescue him from enemies and troubles, preserve his life, and show abundant kindness to him.
The word mercy means the Shepherd keeps His covenant. The Shepherd never gives up because He has a loyal love for those who are His.
Do you realize He loves you with a love that sticks no matter what? His love is faithful, dependable, and committed. He loves us even when we do not deserve it. Actions, not feelings, are how he shows his love. He is faithful and consistent, no matter what we feel.
As a parent, you never give up on your child, no matter how many mistakes they make. That is a tiny example of the Shepherd's love for His sheep.
The Shepherd has obligated Himself to His Sheep. He acts kindly towards His sheep. His love never fails. His goodness never ceases.
Do you grasp it? His love is unfailing, merciful, faithful, and committed, with no thought of you earning or deserving it. He will not abandon you. God actively pursues His people, especially when they fail. It is a personal relationship, not mechanics or rules.
How blessed to belong to a Shepherd, God, I AM, who has a never giving up, always and forever, loyal love that stoops low, stays long, and never lets go.
Follows after
Surely goodness and mercy pursue, chase after, and persecute us. Do you see what is happening? Goodness and mercy follow, but it is a strong follow, like continuously coming after us.
In Hebrew, the verb is in the imperfect aspect or tense. That means that it is an ongoing, habitual, repeated action. Goodness and mercy continually actively pursue or chase after us—constantly, habitually, with no end.
Goodness and mercy intentionally and persistently follow after us, like the Shepherd going after His lost sheep or a loyal friend who never gives up.
This isn't casual goodness or coincidental but intentional.
Do you see what David has learned as the Holy Spirit led his meditation? He knows that no matter what he is going through right now, God, I AM, will turn it into good.
He knows others may mean to hurt, abuse, or even kill him, but his Shepherd is coming after him and will turn what they mean for evil into something good. Our Shepherd takes what the enemy means for evil and makes it something for good.
Trust God no matter what is happening and no matter how much you are hurting. Right now, God's goodness and mercy will catch up with you.
All the days
When is God, I AM, doing all of this, all the days of my life? You may feel like this is the worst day of your life, but your Shepherd is here all the days of your life.
If you are going through the valley of the shadow of death, you must look to your Shepherd. Decide now not to let the circumstances cause you to doubt and fear.
Know that you are never ever alone.
I know that when my life fell apart, I got scared. I acted in ways that embarrass me to think of, but even in those moments, God was at work. In my hurt, I lashed out. I defended myself, but I didn't realize that even what was meant to destroy me, my Shepherd would turn to my delight.
I know my Shepherd better today than I ever have, and my life is far better now than it has ever been. I struck out feeling alone because I was blind to where my Shepherd was and what He was doing.
Open your eyes and see what is already true.
Surely
Surely—
Not maybe, not sometimes, not when skies are blue,
But always, entirely, through and through.
Not shadowed by shame or chased by fear,
Only goodness and mercy are drawing near.
They’re not far behind, not lagging slow,
But running hard, with steady flow.
Trouble may bark and darkness howl,
But mercy is louder. Goodness grows foul-proof fowl.
David ran, betrayed, stripped of his crown,
But never once did his Shepherd let him down.
In caves, in dust, under threat of sword,
Still followed by love, still held by the Lord.
Goodness—
Not comfort wrapped in gold and ease,
But joy that finds you on your knees.
It’s bread in famine, rest in war,
The Shepherd’s feast behind every door.
It’s not about having, but being held.
Not getting more, but being compelled—
To lie in green, drink deep from grace,
While the Shepherd sings over your wandering place.
Mercy—
The fierce kind, the staying kind,
The kind that never changes its mind.
Mercy, like a mother’s grip,
Won’t let go when you slip.
It finds you foolish, finds you wrong,
Still follows with a faithful song.
It doesn't flinch, it doesn't leave,
It loves too deep to be deceived.
Follows After—
Like wind behind your sails at sea,
Like dawn that chases night's decree.
Not passively, but with fierce delight,
Goodness and mercy run through the fight.
They chase when you’re slow, catch you in grief,
They whisper hope and bring relief.
They won’t stop—won’t turn aside—
Because your Shepherd won’t be denied.
All the Days—
Not just the Sunday best,
But the breaking, aching, nothing-left rest.
The days you fall apart in shame,
The Shepherd’s love still stakes His claim.
All the days: the bright, the bleak,
When your voice is strong, and when you’re weak.
Even now, in this moment you dread,
Goodness and mercy are just ahead.
Surely—
It’s not a wish, it’s not a guess,
It’s a promise sealed in righteousness.
Goodness and mercy, fierce and free,
Will follow you eternally.