Surely Good and Mercy…

I’m still envisioning Lesley Nielsen in the movie airplane saying, “And don’t call me Shirley”

Hey there, friends.

We’ve all been there. Those days where the weight of the world feels a little heavier, where the shadows seem to linger a bit longer. Maybe it’s a string of bad news, a relationship that’s frayed, or just that nagging sense of “Is this all there is?”

In those moments, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. To focus on what’s wrong, on what’s missing, on the fear of what might be. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to walk alone.

Psalm 23, that beautiful ancient poem, offers a powerful antidote to that fear. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest valleys, we are not abandoned. We are not alone.

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,” it says.

Think about that for a moment.

Goodness. Mercy.

Not just for a day, not just for a season, but all the days of my life.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Easy for David to say. He was a king!” But the truth is, this promise isn’t just for kings and queens. It’s for the weary, the wounded, the ones who feel lost and forgotten. It’s for you.

Goodness. Mercy.

These aren’t abstract concepts. They are real, tangible forces. They are the gentle hand that guides us, the unexpected kindness that restores our faith, the quiet moments of grace that remind us we are loved.

So, the next time you find yourself in the valley, remember this: you are not alone. Goodness and mercy are on your trail. They are always there, even when you can’t see them.

And maybe, just maybe, you can begin to see them. To notice the small acts of kindness, the unexpected moments of joy, the quiet whispers of hope.

Because even in the darkest of times, there is always light. There is always grace. There is always hope.

Grace and Peace,

-Pastorsponderings.