Could it be that as He goes before us, goodness and mercy follow as a shadow in the Light of His Presence?
Gravel crunched beneath my feet as I walked with my face to the afternoon sun, long shadows all about me. My heart weighed heavy with the fear of an unknown future. I wrestled to keep my eyes focused on Jesus — the One who holds my tomorrows and leads me in paths of righteousness … even when I murmur and complain.
A thought kept circling through my mind: surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
The words of this familiar psalm dropped out of nowhere, so I knew to pay attention. I knew in my spirit the Lord wanted to teach me something. So on I walked, pondering His words.
The sun was a bright shining beacon before me. I was vastly aware of its light. Then I became aware of the shadow it produced — the shadow of myself, following every move I made. If I stepped left, the shadow followed. To the right, the shadow was right there. Even when I stood still, the shadow remained because of the light of the sun.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life …
I know the Lord promises to go before us and I know physical evidence of His Presence is a glorious light. Could it be that as He goes before us, goodness and mercy follow as a shadow in the Light of His Presence — because of the Light of His Presence?
Think of it:
- The Lord Himself is good. This we know.
- Mercy is His steadfast, unfailing love — love born of covenant.
- The idea of following is to pursue, to follow after.
So, the Lord Himself, with His unfailing love, mercy and goodness pursues us all the days of our lives. He is with us on the mountaintops and He is with us through the deepest valleys. The darkest of dark. The vilest of vile.
He is with us.
“For You are my lamp, O lord; The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.” ~ 2 Samuel 22:29
What a beautiful thought: Even in the darkness, there is light.
And when we follow the Lord close, His goodness and mercy are in the shadows cast by His glorious Presence.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
Selah.
