Pursued by God

ValMay ♦ June 1, 2022 ♦ Leave a comment

While in Texas for a convention, I attended a marvelous service at a church my cousin and her husband pastor in McKinney, Texas. It was a Sunday night that was full of the Holy Spirit. Good people praising, worshiping, waiting and listening for a Word from God. … and He responded. He spoke to many people that night including me …. mostly through prayer and music.. One of the songs was the ‘Goodness of God’ by Brian and Jen Jensen. The song has not left me since.

The whole song is appealing but what was so compelling and what captured me is the ‘bridge’...’your goodness is running after me‘. He does, you know, run after us. Psalm 23, in the KJV, says this; ‘surely His goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life’. But that translation, as beautiful as it is, does not capture the intensity of what the psalmist was saying. When we look at the Hebrew the word that is used is ‘radaph’ and it means to run after, pursue, even chase. The Message actually says this… ‘Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. And the NLT says. “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life’.

One commentator says this about the word ‘radaph’. ‘The use of this word is ironic. This verb is often used to describe the hostile action of an enemy who chases after and pursues an opponent. One might expect the psalmist’s enemies to chase him but ironically God’s goodness and faithfulness pursue him instead. The word pursue is used outside of its normal context and in an ironic manner creates a pleasant word picture of God’s favor as He ‘chases down the one whom He loves.’

His beautiful, magnificent, glorious and merciful love chasing down the one whom He loves….. that’s you and me, my friends.

Here are the lyrics:

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)

‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me (oh-oh)

I hope that makes you feel pretty special.

Have a listen: https://youtu.be/-f4MUUMWMV4

Written by Larry May