Unrelenting Love

Psalms 23
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Most everyone I know has heard or even memorized the verses above.  The trouble with being so familiar with something is that it breeds, well...familiarity.  Which in turn, can breed apathy.  I wonder how apathetic we have become to the message, when we have heard the verses repeated over and over since our childhood. This morning, it was as if I read these words for the first time.  It helps that I am reading from an unfamiliar translation.  It is not so easy to gloss over the words with an "Oh yeah, I know this one".  

The Lord IS MY shepherd!!!

I do have all I need!  

He is close beside me!!

But, the line that really jumps out at me this morning is, "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life". Wow!  He doesn't just offer his goodness and unfailing love, it pursues me!  It chases me with unfailing tenacity!  His love for me is fierce and unrelenting!  And, it is for you too!!!

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