What Will You Leave Behind?

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will [a]dwell in the house of the Lord
[b]Forever.

What follows you as you walk through life’s journey?  I guess that question could be restated as “What is your legacy?”  what are you leaving behind you as you pass through this life?

I remember as a very young boy meeting my grandma’s dad.  He was in his eighties at the time and I was around 3 or 4 years old.  My memory of him is very simple yet profound.  I remember his smile and how his eyes lit up when he picked me up and said hello.  He carried me around for a bit and then put me down.  I don’t remember much about what he said to me but I will forever remember his smile and the joy and kindness in his eyes and on his face as he looked at me.

As I grew older, I heard stories of him from my grandma and family.  I felt like I knew him.  His legacy to me and for me was joy and kindness shared in a singular moment.  If those little moments can leave a lasting impression, think about what a life time of relationship and influence can do.

David recognized that his relationship with the Lord would have a profound effect on him.  It would cause him to walk in a way that would leave a legacy of goodness and mercy.  Because he was walking in the goodness and mercy of God, it was not only for his good but also the good of those who would follow him on this path.  The path of following God.

My great grandpa passed away a few months after I met him.  Though I only knew him for a short while, it has been shared with me that he was a man who spread joy and kindness where ever he went.  It was his nature. 

We, as followers of Christ, should display the goodness and mercy that He has shown us through our Christian walk.  We should begin to show the nature of our Heavenly Father.  It should flow into us through His Word and our prayer life.  It (His nature) should flow out of us and “follow” us all the days of our life.

Our legacy, like David’s, should point others to the source of our goodness and mercy.  It should point others to the “house of the Lord” or the place of His presence.  The place of relationship with Him.  Our legacy should point to the love and character of Jesus Christ.

David’s desire was to dwell in (be connected to) the house of the Lord forever.  While we don’t worship in a tabernacle as in the time of David, we understand that His presence is with us as we gather together in our houses of worship (church) and as we worship throughout the week at home, at work or in the car driving down the road. 

Will you let His goodness and mercy flow through you to a world that is in great need of the goodness and character of God?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.  I come asking that You would help me to allow Your goodness and mercy, Your character and Spirit, to flow through me so that others might come to know You. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen.

Trust Me

Trust Me!

Those are the words that I kept hearing a few years ago when I was faced with some potentially life altering news.  News that was hard to receive and as I processed the news it began to shatter my world.  I didn’t understand!!!  Why was I having to go through this?  Why would God allow this to happen?  I had been faithful, dedicated my life to Him, followed Him everywhere He led me.  I didn’t understand!!!! 

I was caught in a place of uncertainty which if I wasn’t careful could lead to a position of unbelief and what I needed in this moment was simply to Trust Him.

Psalm 23:5 says,

“you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.”

Jesus never said we wouldn’t face trouble or difficulties.  We aren’t promised a life of ease when we become a believer in Him.  Quite the opposite is true.  Jesus told His disciples that tribulations would come.

 John 16:33 says this:

 “these things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

While in the middle of my potentially life altering situation, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, “Trust Me, I have kept you all your life, I have you and this situation in My hands.”

The enemies of your life may be all around you, waging war in your body through sickness or disease,  you may be fighting a battle for your marriage or your children, the enemy may be attacking you at your job or in your business, don’t give in to his words of intimidation.  Hear the Word of the Lord as He says, Trust Me! I’ve got this.  Just trust Me.

Do you remember those Holiday meals as a child?  Times when the extended family would gather together and eat, talk, enjoy each other’s company and celebrate the day.  That is a picture of what the Lord has for us even in the middle of life’s most difficult moments.  Nothing the enemy throws at you is a surprise to God.  It may take us by surprise but He is never surprised.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” David knew that God was with him.  Even when the battle was raging all around, God was there in the middle of it all making preparations for strength, fellowship with Him and a season of fresh anointing.  That’s right, in the middle of your battle, in the middle of those “life defining” moments, God is there to anoint you with a fresh, new anointing!!

A level of anointing that overflows…”my cup runs over”.  Don’t be afraid of the enemy’s words or actions.  God is bigger than your situation and is preparing an anointing that will overflow your ability to contain.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus Christ.  I pray that You would help my unbelief, help me to Trust You in all things and in every season.  It is my desire to fellowship with You.  I trust You with my life, my family and my situation. In Jesus Name. Amen.