Surprise Packages

S
(Psalm 23:6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

O
David conscripted a startlingly vivid and thought-provoking word for this gentle, calming psalm. Radaph (translated "follow"), usually meant (1) pursue to overtake, usually with hostile intent, (2) chase or put to flight, as an army would do to a defeated foe, (3) hunt down an elusive prize, or (4) attend to very closely.

A
I am comforted to know that God employed this picture to help me understand how He feels and thinks about me. In this description, He deploys two expert trackers to keep up with me. Goodness (tov) chases me in order to bestow upon me all necessary things that are "pleasant, beautiful, excellent, lovely, delightful, convenient, joyful, fruitful, precious, sound, cheerful, kind, correct, righteous, and virtuous" (and much more). Mercy (chesed) bestows God's lovingkindness...as though I could tell His goodness from His lovingkindness.

P
Lord, I just don't understand why You do this. Your mercy and goodness track me down even though I seem lost and play hard to find. Hebrews 12 informs me that I reject Your health-producing gifts because they come in packages that don't expect or want. Help me to always recognize and receive You gifts.