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Surrounded
This week's focus: Peace
After attending a church service with his grandmother, a little boy kept looking behind him as they walked home. “Why do you keep turning around?” asked his grandma. “Well, the preacher told us that Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy would follow us; I just want to see if they were.”
To the little boy’s credit, human-like qualities were given to God’s blessings in Psalm 23:6 when we read, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Visuals like this comfort our weary souls as we journey home. In the words of F.B. Meyer, “We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind!”
We especially need encouragement when the road we are on is dark and uphill. Like the little boy, it’s easy to look behind us and wonder where goodness and mercy are. Fortunately, God graciously and repeatedly reminds us that we are never alone:
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5).
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
“… for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12).
Let’s allow these promises to fill our hearts and minds. When anxiety tries to sneak into our souls, let’s remember that we don’t have to be afraid because we are surrounded and led by a Perfect Guide.
Today, every day, and for all eternity, we get to praise Jesus for His goodness and mercy, which paved the way for us to dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
by: Jennifer McAlister for My Faith Votes
Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Prayer Points:
Pray: Dear Jesus, Your presence brings comfort and courage. Help us demonstrate the peace that belongs to those who belong to You. We love You, Lord, Amen.
Think: “I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side.” – from the song, Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) by Chris Tomlin
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