“You want to know why I came back?” She asked. “I kept hearing God say, “Go back.”, I heard Him so clearly, and it was scary because it seemed like His voice was ejecting me from that place. It was like I could no longer dwell amongst the world. I heard His voice loud and clear. It is like He wants me to protect myself from the bad people.”

When meeting with this resident she wanted to share how she struggled with believing God would have her in such a loving, safe environment. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the thought of how people who were supposed to love and care for her had hurt her, yet strangers made her feel human.

I took a deep breath and said, “Because you are His daughter. You belong to Him, and because you are His daughter, He will protect you at all costs for the rest of your life.” I further explained that she had responded to His voice directing her to safety. As I shared with her, my heart began to sing Psalms 23 with verse 6 being the loudest.

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” – Psalms 23:6, NIV

Psalms 23 was penned by David, a man after God’s own heart. The thought behind this text is about the protection we have from the Shepherd, who is God. Throughout the passage, we are encouraged to know that God is with us and we are never alone. Just as the sheep are cared for by their shepherd, David uses the imagery of God being our Shepherd and we are the sheep. Moreover, that final verse of Psalm 23 beautifully captures the essence of David’s trust and faith in God’s unceasing love and protection. The verse, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” conveys a deep sense of security and comfort. David expresses his confidence that God’s goodness and mercy will be with him continually, not just in moments of joy, but through all the seasons of life, no matter what challenges or trials may arise.

The second part of the verse, “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,“ speaks to the ultimate fulfillment of a believer’s longing for eternal fellowship with God. The “house of the Lord” here can be understood as both a metaphor for God’s presence in the present, and as a reference to the eternal dwelling place with God in heaven.

For David, this verse is not just about personal comfort, but a declaration of trust in God’s eternal faithfulness. It points to the lasting peace and assurance that come from knowing God’s presence will never leave, and that after this life, there is the promise of eternal communion with Him. It encapsulates the essence of Christian hope, where the believer’s journey through life culminates in eternal life with God. Overall, Psalm 23 emphasizes the intimate, unshakable relationship between God and His people, filled with comfort, protection, and the assurance that we are never alone. It’s a passage that many find deeply encouraging in moments of hardship and a reminder of the faithfulness of our Shepherd.

Just as I was able to share this truth with our resident, I want to encourage you as well in knowing that we are not alone on this mission. While sometimes it may seem overwhelming, challenging, and sometimes heartbreaking, know that in the end, we all win. No matter what, surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.