Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6 

We have reached the crescendo of David’s tribute to God as the Great Shepherd. He points towards two realities that he believes and enjoys: (1) that goodness, love, mercy, and kindness will follow him all of the days of his life and (2) that he will rest in the presence of God for all of eternity.

For me, the issue of God’s goodness is settled in one powerful passage of scripture. As Jesus teaches us about asking for His provision, He compares God’s willingness and ability to give goodness to that of an earthly parent. Jesus uses this device to allow us to gain a better understanding of how we should perceive God’s character and nature. Consider the following:

Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 

                                                                                                            Matthew 7:9-10 

When a child is in need of something beneficial (a loaf of bread or a fish), only an evil parent would consider providing something useless or harmful to the child (a stone instead or bread or a snake instead of a fish). Jesus brings us in by asking who among us would do such a thing. Of course the answer is that none of us would do that. He points to the obvious, that a good parent will care for and provide what is beneficial to the children, the answer that any level headed, decent individual would conclude. He then takes that logical, self-evident assumption and compares it to the character and nature of God. Listen to His declaration:

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

                                                                                                                     Matthew 7:11

Jesus doesn’t mix His words. He comes right out and declares us as evil (apart from Christ). So in other words, if fallen, corrupt people have enough sense to care for their own, how much more will a perfect, holy, righteous, and just God respond to our needs? There is no competition. God is a superior Giver and Provider. And what is it that God will give us? Jesus describes it as that which is good.

The word being used is agathos. Consider the description and depth of this word. Agathos is something that is useful, favorable to or promoting health, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, and conducive to some beneficial purpose. Wow! This is what we can expect from God when He acts on our behalf as the great Giver and Provider. No doubt David had experienced something very similar.

Jesus also tells us to whom this goodness belongs. It is for those “who ask Him!” That’s right! This incredible outpouring of good, healthy, and beneficial things is reserved for those who ask. If we belong to Jesus Christ, we are heirs to the kingdom of God. Our heavenly Father will not hesitate to fulfill His promise of providing goodness into our lives as we ask. No doubt David was reflecting on the goodness of God in his life as he wrote those wonderful words, “Surely goodness…will follow me all the days of my life.”

What a complete life! To be able to boast that goodness will be ours throughout this life and that, when this life is over, we will enjoy eternal life in heaven with Christ. Is there anything that could possibly exceed that? David was indeed blessed and as born again believers in Jesus, so are we!