A month ago I began the arduous task of researching new car insurance. In my opinion, the fundamental nature of ‘insurance’ is to plan for something bad to happen. I understand and appreciate the need for insurance but it just feels so negative.

as·sur·ance: a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise.

Insurance and assurance are two different things. Jesus doesn’t offer insurance. He is our assurance that every promise in Scripture will come to pass. Our confidence is in nothing less than Christ himself.

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Psalm 23 begins with a declaration of God’s intention and desire to be our shepherd and then proceeds with itemizing the promises or benefits that come from following Him. With every difficulty and every obstacle that comes your way, your shepherd will navigate you through them all to bring you full circle back home.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

We are recipients of His continual goodness because of His constant mercy. Despite our behavior, our lack of faith or faithfulness, in spite of our weakness, God’s goodness will be shown to us.

Goodness is a deliberate choice to do right versus wrong. God would have to cease being himself before he can inflict the slightest wrong on the weakest or unworthiest of his creation. God isn’t good towards you because you are good but because He is God.

The word “mercy” in the Bible is exceedingly rich and complicated, as evidenced by the fact that several Hebrews and Greek words are needed to comprehend the many-sided concept. Check out how one Bible Encyclopedia defines mercy.

“Mercy designates that quality in God which he faithfully keeps His promises and maintains his covenant relationship with His chosen people despite their unworthiness and unfaithfulness.”

The essence of mercy is not getting what we deserve. We deserve judgment but God’s mercy deflects judgment because of Jesus Christ. God’s mercy and grace are deposited into our lives and are meant to follow us, trail us.

What kind of trail are you leaving at work, at home, or in your relationships? Are you having to cover your tracks or are you leaving trials of goodness and mercy where you go? The wake we leave in our path will speak louder than any words we can say. People often forget what we say but they rarely forget how we made them feel.

We would benefit much if we approached every day with the assurance that no matter the storm, the valley, nor the size or number of our enemy that our shepherd will navigate us, protect us, and work out for our good every potential negative event to the very end. How differently would your emotional, mental and spiritual status be if you lived with the constant awareness that God is right beside you?

Before you take your first sip of coffee or tea commit to God in prayer; Nothing I face today will I face alone, you are with me. Nothing I encounter today is a surprise to you, for you are with me.

Here’s the catch to everything we have learned from Psalm 23, you must be in “the fold” to receive the care of Jesus as your Shepherd.

“I (Jesus) am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

If you haven’t made a decision to accept Jesus’ gift of salvation, to have your sin forgiven, your eternity settle and experience the care of “the good Shepherd,” you can do so today by praying and accepting Jesus’ gift of Salvation and commit to following Him until He brings you to your eternal home. He is our salvation and our assurance!