welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread our reading titled followed by God goodness was written by Patricia Raven
 at my first job during my high school years I worked at a women's clothing store with a female security guard dressed as a shopper followed women she thought might steal the merchandise
 certain people fit profiles of those the store owners thought were suspicious
 others not considered a threat or left alone
 I've been profiled in stores myself and followed an interesting experience since I still recognize the tactic
 in sharp contrast David declared he was followed by a divine blessing God's goodness and mercy these two gifts always stay closed following him not with suspicion but real love the twin guardian angels as evangelist Charles Spurgeon describe the pair follow Believers closely during both Bleak days and write the dreary days of winter as well as the Bright Days of Summer goodness supplies our needs and mercy blots out our sins
 as a one-time Sheppard David understood this intentional pairing of goodness and mercy as it's provided by God other things could follow Believers fear worry Temptation doubts but surely David declares with undoubtedly certainty God's kind goodness love and mercy follow us always as David rejoiced in Psalm 23
 surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
 what is amazing gift to follow us home
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is Psalm 23
 The Lord is my shepherd I lack nothing he makes me lie down in Green Pastures he leads me beside Quiet Waters hearing fresh is my soul
 he guides me along the right path for his namesake even though I walk through the darkest Valley I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies you anoint my head with oil my cup overflows surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
 let's pray
 dear God thank you for following us with your goodness and mercy all the days of our life help us to live in such a way that the world sees your goodness in us and is attracted to you through us it's in Jesus name we pray amen
 thanks for listening today my name is Joyce Dinkins and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries