Sometimes I wonder if squirrels come to our yard just to torment our dog. They run up and down the tree next to the windows while he goes absolutely bonkers on the other side of the glass. If we open the back door to let him out, he runs at top speed directly for the squirrels, who always scamper up a tree and out of reach. Despite his lack of success for nine years now, he is always consumed by his pursuit.

In Psalm 23 we’ve learned that as God’s beloved sheep, we lack nothing we need as we enjoy quiet waters and green pastures of refreshment. We are not alone as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Our cup overflows with the provision of our Shepherd. And in this final verse of the psalm, we see how God’s good gifts continue to pursue us now and through all our days. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

The Hebrew word for “follow” could also be translated as pursue or chase. God’s goodness and mercy don’t amble behind us like a child who’s been sent to his room. They relentlessly pursue us and never let us out of their sight. We did nothing to earn them—they are a gift of God’s grace—and they can’t be taken away. These amazing gifts of goodness and mercy will follow us all the way to our eternal home, where we will dwell with the Lord forever. 

Maybe today it feels like God’s goodness couldn’t possibly keep up with the troubles you face. Maybe you wonder if you’ve out-sinned the riches of His mercy. Or maybe you feel alone and discouraged and can’t see evidence of His presence with you. 

Let this truth comfort you: God’s goodness and mercy are following you all the days of your life. He is with you now, and He sent His Son so that you can be with Him forever. 

No matter what you face this week, your Shepherd’s goodness and mercy are yours forever. 

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When I was a teenager, an exciting new restaurant opened in my small hometown: we finally had a Chili’s! The best part about Chili’s wasn’t the thin, crunchy tortilla chips or the indulgently breaded chicken strips with salty fries. Chili’s most amazing feature was something I’d never seen before—unlimited soft drinks. 

Before my Dr. Pepper could empty all the way, the server would swap it for a full glass. And this endless supply of Dr. Pepper would continue throughout the meal. I wondered how they could stay in business, handing out glass after glass of Dr. Pepper like that! 

David lived a few thousand years before Chili’s and their unlimited Dr. Pepper, but he had a good Shepherd who led him in green pastures, through the valley of the shadow of death, to an even better table overflowing with good gifts. 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)

Even though David was still in the presence of his enemies, God provided a refuge filled with refreshment. With the Shepherd’s protection and provision, David sat to eat in a lavish setting. Expensive oil anointed his head; his cup was filled to overflowing. God’s precious sheep lack nothing. 

There are days when our cup doesn’t feel like it’s overflowing. We may not be sure we have what we need to make it through another day, but Psalm 23:5 is still true. Can we see the table spread before us? 

God’s good gifts may not be exactly what we want, but He will always provide what we truly need: His grace, mercy, forgiveness, presence with us, care for us, unparalleled comfort, unexplainable peace, and unending faithfulness. 

Our Shepherd invites us to take a seat and feast on His lavish goodness to us. Feel the oil on your head that reminds you that you are precious to Him. See your cup overflow with His goodness, spilling over onto the table as you reach for it, reminding you that God’s provision is even more than you need. 

No matter what you face this week, your cup overflows with the Shepherd’s good gifts. 

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Where do you turn when you feel worn down or worn out by the worries of life? Maybe your calendar feels so hectic that you couldn’t pull it all off even if you cloned yourself. Or maybe you’re in a quieter season, but your concerns about loved ones or the future or your circumstances are still clamoring loudly in your mind. When our souls feel depleted, we have a good Shepherd who restores our souls with rest and refreshment. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:2–3)

We saw last week in Psalm 23:1 that we have a caring Shepherd who provides everything we need. In these verses, we learn that our Shepherd gives us rest, refreshment, restoration, and righteousness. 

The Hebrew word translated “restore” means to turn back or return. Our souls were originally created for communion with God, but our relationship with our Creator has been ruined by sin. The good news of these verses is that our Shepherd has returned our soul to the fellowship it was created for, bringing us back into relationship with Himself. 

Although David penned these words centuries before Jesus walked the earth, we learn from John 10 that these verses find their fulfillment in our incarnate Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Jesus said that He is the door of the sheep and if “anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7, 9). 

What do sheep do in the pasture? They rest. They eat. Maybe they even enjoy the company of other sheep. They are safe in the protection of the Shepherd as He provides the rest and refreshment they need. 

We can rest because Jesus our Shepherd laid down His life for us. He refreshes our weary hearts with His love, grace, and mercy. He restores our soul with His Word. He guides His sheep as we grow in righteousness for His glory.  

No matter what you face this week, your Shepherd will give you rest, refreshment, restoration, and righteousness. 

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