Being identified as a person of interest will change your life.
As a person of interest in a police investigation, you’ll be watched by detectives even before you know it. Imagine the thoughts that would run through your mind if someone noticed and mentioned to you, “You’re being followed.” That’s creepy.
Some people are not just being watched, they are actually and truly being pursued. And they like it! This morning, we’re going to talk about them.
But first, welcome to “Mornings with Bishop Robert,” thanks for joining me. My goal is to introduce people to the Jesus they never knew, and help them get to know Him and His word personally – and better ! If our time together today speaks to your heart, then let me invite you to like, subscribe and share it with a friend !
The thought of being pursued tends to bring up all sorts of disturbing images in our minds. Stalkers, spies and such. For most of you, the chances of being surveilled by a government are slim to none. But anyone can have a crazy ex boyfriend or girlfriend, or someone they have upset or angered in the past who is determined to make your life miserable. If someone actually is snooping on you, it’s much more likely to be a nosy neighbor than some obsessed stranger. The fact is that 85% of victims are stalked by someone they know, random stalkers are quite rare.
But to turn the images completely around, being pursued can be a very good thing! It all depends upon who your pursuer is, and what their intentions are when they catch you.
Today’s verse says GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME.
Well, if goodness and mercy are the WHAT, then God is the WHO — and you’re OK. Actually, more than OK!
God has blessed those of us who are in Christ with every spiritual blessing. And from Christ’s fullness we have all received grace upon grace. “Grace upon grace” is an idiom that speaks about replacing old grace, grace that has already been used up, with fresh new grace that is filled to the brim with the strength we need. It’s like free refills at a restaurant. You know how these “bottomless cup” deals work, right? As long as you remain at the restaurant the staff keeps coming and refilling your drink. That’s how Jesus gives out grace; all we need over and over again. We just need to stay in Him to benefit from His fullness.
As He pours out His grace, the God of Hope fills you and me with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we abound in hope. That means that our cup overflows !!
Not long ago we looked at another psalm together and I asked the question “HOW PROTECTED ARE YOU?” We learned about how God covers the righteous with a shield. Well, so far we’ve got protective shields, free refills of grace, and even goodness and mercy following us. But it gets BETTER !!
Not only will GOODNESS AND MERCY FOLLOW YOU, but if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God and set your heart to do all His commandments, the Lord your God will cause several blessings to pursue you and overtake you. As you obey Him, you’re not just a person of interest, you’re being pursued and overtaken …. BY BLESSINGS.
What blessings is God referring to, you may ask?
It doesn’t matter where you live, because He says you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
He promised that the fruit of your womb will be blessed, and it doesn’t matter if you knew you’d get pregnant or not. He knew! As you obey Him He will bless the children He brings to you.
He says your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed, and these are images of food and provision. His blessing will continue to your business endeavors as you follow Him and obey. In promising His blessings He says He will bless the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock— the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. That doesn’t mean you need to become a farmer or a rancher to get God’s blessing; it means He will bless the work of your hands as you obey.
He says you will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. That points to blessings at home as well as blessings at work.
One of my favorite promises of protection is found in the book of Exodus, where God makes this promise to those who listen to His voice and do as He says — “I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.”
While not many would consider a Marine-Corps-trained rifle and pistol expert with a black belt as a “weakling” or a “soft target,” having God as your enemy is much worse !!! This is why King David wrote, “The LORD is on my side, I will not fear.”
So relax, be at peace, focus on obedience. It protects, directs, provides, heals, blesses, brings hope, joy and peace. And that’s just the beginning of the list!!!
You’re not just a person of interest. You’re the target who is being pursued. Aren’t you glad !!!!
