6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life:

   and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

       So, what’s at the end of your day? How do you feel at the end of the day? Do you look forward to a better tomorrow? Do you feel like tomorrow will be more of the same? Without Jesus our “end of the days” move into more desolate places without any hope. But with Jesus every day is a new beginning. It will be a new day that is found only in Jesus your Good Shepherd and Host of the Heavenly Banquet.

       The lion and wolf seek to rip, tear, and shred you apart. Do not fear. Your Good Shepherd is with you and present with you right now. Yes. As sheep we will wander. But your faith in Jesus is what keeps you as part of His flock. Some sheep wander. They may leave the faith and flock altogether. Nevertheless, the Good Shepherd chases them down. He will leave the ninety-nine and go after the one.

       Maybe you’re one of those sheep. Maybe you have family members who have wandered away from God’s flock. Yes. This is concerning, especially for parents whose child has wandered. Yet, we hold God to His promises and pray for them.

       Maybe you’re one of those sheep who has strayed off of God’s path. Hey. We all do. We’re sheep! Rev. Dr. Paul Raabe served as professor of Old Testament at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He described this verse as The Good Shepherd chasing us down with His law and gospel. At the end of the day people will look for answers, and many of those answers provided by the world are not God pleasing at all. Jesus chases us down prodding us along with His rod saying, “Stay away from those sins. They’ll only separate you from the flock and you’ll get eaten alive.”

       The sheep—you and me—are completely dependent on the Shepherd. No good works will lead you through the valley to the eternal site of God’s Banquet. Only Jesus can do this. So, don’t burden yourself by wondering if you’ve done enough good things for enough people. You haven’t, and neither have I. It’s all God’s grace. I will dwell in the house of the LORD in the Hebrew is written in such a way that there is absolutely no doubt. King David had no doubt despite his sins against God and others. He trusted that God would indeed forgive him, and God did. It’s God’s grace and forgiveness in the certainty of the Good Shepherd laying down His life and taking it up for you that gives you the absolute certainty. At the end of the day there is definitely a new beginning. And Jesus is with you even at the end of the day.