We’ve all read Psalm 23. Many of us have it memorized. While reading through this chapter again recently, though, something caught my attention that I had never considered before. Below is the chapter in its entirety. Pay close attention to verse 6.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

David doesn’t say that goodness and love will lie before him all the days of his life. Rather, he’s talking about his walk through the valley of the shadow of death, making the view ahead of him pretty scary. He doesn’t say that goodness and love will be his goal or reward, or that goodness and love await in his future. He says that they will follow him. I’ve been thinking about what that could mean for us.

Maybe David is saying that if we are walking the path of righteousness, goodness and love will be the fruits of our labor, the result of pressing on. Maybe others who choose to follow that same path behind us, because of our influence, will experience those things as a result of our efforts and struggles. David could be saying that the obstacles and trials in front of us may seem dark and overwhelming, but goodness and love have “got our back”, supporting us and pushing us forward. Maybe he is saying that when things ahead of us seem impossible, we should look back and remember the blessings and protection behind us that God has provided in the past. The best indicator of what God can and will do is what he has already done.

Look back on the path you’ve been traveling. What’s following you?