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.”
PREAMBLE
Since the year started, we have looked at the shepherd’s staff, the journey with the shepherd and the sufficiency of the shepherd. All is pointing to what our God, the El-Shaddai can and would do, especially we His children, the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3).
Today, we are looking at how committed is our God to offer us the best and comprehensive care (Psalm 23:1-6). ‘’The one would offer to cloth another must be seeing full of abundant cloth’’
The integrity of God is a call into understanding of men; to be rest assure you are secure in His hand. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful”
A. UNDERSTANDING INTEGRITY
The word integrity is defined as the quality of being honest, transparent, and morally upright. It involves consistently adhering to a set of principles and values, even when faced with challenges or difficult decisions
The integer vs Integrity:
The word “integer” and “integrity” do share a common root. Both words come from the Latin word “integer,” which means “whole” or “complete.”
In mathematics, an integer refers to a whole number, without fractions or decimals.
In the context of integrity, the idea is that a person with integrity is whole, complete, and undivided in their values, principles, and actions. They are not fragmented or compromised, but rather, they consistently act with honesty, morality, and transparency.
God is Integrity Personified:
The scripture testifies in several ways that he does not change (Heb.13:8; Malachi 3:6; He is ever true (Psalm 33:4; 2 Timothy 2:13; James 1:17); He does not lie (Numbers 23:19; Heb.6:18); He sees to the fulfilment of His words and promises (Joshua 21:45; Jeremiah 1:12).
B. THE SHEPHERD WITH INTEGRITY
- Psalm 23:6 beautifully illustrates the unwavering integrity of the Lord as the Shepherd. Verse 6 encapsulates a promise that emanates from the very nature of God.
- ‘’Surely’’ speaks of assurance, unchanging nature of God, the certainty of His promise and the permanency and enduring nature of the promise
- The Hebrew word for “goodness” suggests not just moral goodness but also prosperity and joy. “Mercy” denotes steadfast love, often used to describe God’s covenant loyalty. The phrase “shall follow me” uses the Hebrew word (radaph), which suggests active pursuit, implying that God’s goodness and mercy actively pursue the believer. – Psalm 78:51-54
- The integrity of the Shepherd is seen in His commitment to continually pursue us with goodness and mercy. It speaks to a Shepherd who is not passive but relentlessly ensures that His sheep experience His benevolence and steadfast love. – Mark 6:34
- This pursuit is not temporary but lasts “all the days of my life,” indicating a lifelong commitment. Additionally, the promise of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever underscores the eternal nature of the Shepherd’s care and faithfulness- Isaiah 63:11-14
C. THE SURE WORD OF GOD (THE INTEGRITY OF GOD’S WORD)- II PETER 1:19-21
2 Peter 1:19-20 (NIV)- “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it… Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.”
- The scripture II Peter 1 :19-20 suggests that every act of God is inextricably linked to His spoken word, promising a steadfastness that is unwavering and true
- “The Testimony of the Lord is Sure” says the word of God- Psalm 19:7;
- God does nothing outside His word.
- The word of God is the instrument of divine promises and performance (Heb.4:12; Gen.1:3; Ezekiel 37:4,6,9,11
- God’s word is covenant-borne-
- The integrity of the Shepherd is reflected in the veracity and dependability of His word. Just as the Shepherd pursues His sheep with goodness and mercy, He also ensures that His messages and prophecies are trustworthy and fulfilled
- The prophetic word acts as a light shining in a dark place, guiding believers until the ultimate revelation of Christ, the morning star, who rises in their hearts.
- Every child of God must respond to God’s word by believing it, go over it again and again until conviction takes place in your heart. ‘’which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts’’
- Know that God’s prophecy is open to whosoever receive the understanding of Holy Spirit’s interpretation- Mark 13:27 ‘’And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
CONCLUSION
- The integrity of the Shepherd, as portrayed in Psalm 23:6 and II Peter 1:18-20, is profoundly evident.
- Shepherd’s steadfast love and goodness actively pursue the faithful, ensuring their well-being and eternal dwelling with Him.
- The reliability of the prophetic word, affirmed by firsthand apostolic witness, underscores the Shepherd’s commitment to truth and guidance.
- Through these scriptures, believers can find deep assurance in the Shepherd’s unwavering integrity and trust in His eternal promises.