Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23:6, NIV

 

It is easy to recognise the goodness and mercy of God when life is going well. Praise comes easily then; gratitude rises naturally to our lips, and we give God the glory without hesitation. But when trials come, praise often feels like a sacrifice – because, if we are honest, we do not always feel what David speaks of in this psalm.

 

And yet, dear friend, God must still receive the glory. Not because our circumstances are good, but because he is. His goodness and mercy are not promised for some of our days, but for all of them.

 

Job understood this deeply. In Job 1:21, after suffering devastating loss, he praised God simply because God is sovereign. He had lost his wealth, his livelihood, his health, and his children – yet he still declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” It is difficult to fathom such praise in the face of such pain. But Job teaches us this: he declared who God is above everything he had, has, or lost. God remained worthy of glory because God remained good.

 

In this light, David’s words in Psalm 23:6 take on deeper meaning. Not every day feels good, but God still is. Not every season is easy, but God still is. His goodness and mercy do not depend on how a day unfolds – they simply are, present in every moment of our lives

 

What is even more comforting is this: we do not have to chase God’s goodness and mercy. It follows us. It pursues us. It meets us wherever we are.

 

Sometimes all we need is a shift in perspective – a choice to glorify God for who he is, even when our circumstances try to say otherwise.

 

Whether you find yourself on the mountaintop of abundance or walking through the refining valleys of life, know this: God is good. And his goodness and mercy are close behind you, every day of your life.

 

Indeed, all glory belongs to our God, who is good – always.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Father, that your goodness and mercy runs after me. Help me to see it in every area of my life, no matter the season I am in. May you receive the glory in it all. Amen