By J. Wilbur Chapman
"THIS sentence may be read, 'Only goodness and mercy shall follow me,' for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. These twin guardian angels will always be at my back and my beck. Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. Goodness and mercy follow him always. 'All the days of his life,' the black days as well as the bright days, the days of fasting as well as the days of feasting, the dreary days of winter as well as the bright days of summer. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins."
It is Mr. Meyer who says that. The shepherd always goes before his sheep; goodness and mercy like shepherd dogs come after. What a protection for the sheep! how safe the journey may be!
He Leadeth Me.
"In pastures green? Not always: sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be;
"Out of the sunshine, warm and soft and bright,
Out of the sunshine into the darkest night.
I oft would faint with sorrow and affright,
"Only for this; I know He holds my hand;
So, whether in green or desert land,
I trust, although I may not understand.
"And by still waters? No, not always so;
Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o'er my soul the waves and billows go;
"But, when the storm beats loudest, and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
And whispers to my soul, Lo, it is I!'
"Above the tempest would I hear him say,
'Beyond this darkness lies the perfect day,
In every path of thine I lead the way.'
"So, whether on the hill-tops high and fair
I dwell, or in sunless valleys where
The shadows lie, what matter? He is there.
"And more than this: where'er the pathways lead,
He gives no helpless, broken reed,
But his own hand, sufficient for my need
"So, where He leads me I can safely go,
And In the blest hereafter I shall know
Why, In his wisdom, he hath led me so."
SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY.
1. Remember this is one of "all the days," and God had you in mind when he made the pledge of help.
2. Be sure the God who kept his word with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will not begin to break his word with you.
3. Trust him when you cannot understand him; rejoice even when darkness seems to settle about you.
4. Walk boldly, knowing he is leading, and goodness and mercy are following close behind.
