Psalms 21-23

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Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength;
 we will sing and praise your might. —Psalm 21:13


WHAT'S FOLLOWING ME?

Surely goodness and love will follow me . . . —Psalm 23:6

While Jay pruned shrubs, Maggie slept quietly in the grass, her leash fastened to the garbage can to keep her from wandering away. All was peaceful in our front yard.

Then the neighbor stopped by to pet Maggie. Startled, Maggie bolted to escape, dragging the garbage can behind her. The clanging of the can intensified Maggie’s terror. She tried frantically to outrun it, but the faster she ran, the louder the can clanged. Jay ran after the dog and the clanging trash can as they banged from driveway to sidewalk to street. But Maggie was too frightened to let him get close. As they circled the cul de sac, garbage flew in all directions. Neighbors gathered to watch. To stop Maggie, Jay had to tackle the garbage can.

Maggie’s trashcan catastrophe reminds me of Psalm 23.

The first five verses tell how God gently leads and feeds us, cares for and protects us. But verse six introduces a subtle change. Instead of talking about how God leads us, the psalmist speaks of what follows us. When I am following God, goodness and mercy will follow me. They are what I leave behind for others, not what I strive to receive for myself.

Like Maggie, we sometimes get fastened to garbage cans. As long as life goes smoothly, we sleep peacefully, unaware of impending danger. But even a small disruption startles us. We try to escape but find ourselves tied to the garbage can of empty values and false promises. In trying to get free, we leave behind a trail of distrust and misunderstanding instead of goodness and love.

To determine how well we’re following God, we need to look at what’s following us. If we see chaos and confusion, it’s likely that we’ve been seduced by the empty promises of a false god. When we turn around and follow the one true God who replicates His character within us, we will begin filling the earth with His goodness and love. —Julie Ackerman Link

thought: The evidence of whether we’re following God is not the blessing we receive but the blessing we leave.

thought: If life seems to be going in circles, perhaps we’re chasing something that’s supposed to be behind us.

question: Is my life tied to the trashcan of worldly values or to the treasure chest of godly character?

question: What god am I following? Wealth? Popularity? Power? Success? Beauty? Education? Physical fitness? Independence? Self-expression? Freedom from moral restraint?