Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Psalm 18 and Psalm 23

Today you’re invited to memorise Psalm 23:6 which, if you’ve been memorising and meditating all week, will mean you can now recite the whole Psalm. It reads,
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

First commit it to memory … and then meditate on it throughout the day in light of Psalm 18:1-2

I love you, Lord, my strength.

² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Be assured of this wondrous truth: The LORD’s incredible goodness and mercy is directed towards you every second of your life! God loves you with unconditional and unfailing love, and His desire is for your highest best. In this life, whenever difficulty or danger comes your way, the Lord’s is present with you to be your living stronghold of safety and salvation. Remember that He is your good and merciful Shepherd, and receive the truth that He rushes towards you in those moments, wielding His “rod and staff” of goodness and mercy, to protect you and to turn everything evil and harmful around for your ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

Psalm 18:3-19 contains David’s dramatic vision of God’s powerful, supernatural intervention in some such dangerous attack that he faced. It is an inspirational source of hope when we find ourselves in a similar place. Cling on to it by faith! And remember that our trust in the Lord is not only for life in this mortal and temporary body. It is forever! His goodness and mercy follow us every heartbeat of this life. And when this life is over, His goodness and mercy bring us into His presence forever, to the place He has prepared for us in our eternal home in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Lord, today I choose to respond to every difficulty and struggle I may face by running towards the safety of Your good and merciful presence, trusting that …

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows … AND …
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

AMEN!