All the Days of My Life?, August 23
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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Written by Dan Held
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6 NKJV).
As a pastor, I have recited the Twenty-Third Psalm more often than I could begin to count. Sadly, too many of these times have involved deathbeds and funerals.
I say “sadly” because this familiar psalm of David was not intended just for the times I’ve most often used it, but throughout our lives from cradle to grave. Indeed, David’s words apply to all the days between birth and death. I have wrongly saved this psalm for the end-of-life messages of reassurance, hoping to comfort the bereaved with the promise of dwelling “in the house of the Lord forever.” It shouldn’t await a funeral any more than 1 Corinthians 13 should await a wedding. It’s a scripture for every occasion!
For David, this psalm was probably autobiographical. It was a reminder that life was not always about his own right choices. He had not always followed goodness and mercy. He had made enemies. He had faced death before. Yet, here was God’s goodness and mercy following him. Here was God’s saving grace pursuing him, restoring his soul, and promising the best for him. God never took a day off, even when David did. God didn’t wait until the end of David’s journey to offer him a seat at His heavenly table.
God is our Good Shepherd throughout our lives, even when we, like sheep, all go astray from time to time. We need not fear any evil. We need not fear any pain, or weakness, or disappointment. Or any cancer. And, if we are reading Psalm 23 with the spirit in which David wrote it, it will remind us that God’s goodness and mercy are following us always. Even on those days when we are diagnosed. Ones when we are treated. When we are tested. When we are waiting. When we are rejoicing. Surely not just those days when we are weeping. As it says in our verse for today, God’s “goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
Pray: Eternal God, please forgive us when we do not follow Your lead into paths of righteousness. Thank You that as our Good Shepherd, You follow us with goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. Thank You for Your promise of a forever dwelling place within Your own house. We trust today in Your pursuing grace! Amen.
Your Turn: Be watching today to see how God’s goodness and mercy are following you.
Dan Held, Cancer Caregiver
Dan is a cancer caregiver who lives with his wife (Sue) of 55 years in Dayton, Ohio, where Sue has been free from breast cancer and colon cancer for two years! Dan is an ordained pastor and a licensed therapist with a heart for families touched by cancer at any stage. He is dedicated to promoting the message of more love and less fear in all aspects of his ministry and life. Check out his blog at www.danielkheld.com.
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