Nougat 11

Years ago I was at a funeral and was introduced to the phrase ’onlyest’. Now my good grammarians will tell me that a single word is not a phrase. Normally, I’d agree, but the context, confidence and tone of that onlyest guaranteed that we all understood that it was the one and only one (di one deggeh-deggeh one) – oh yes! And that’s kind of a phrase. When the word ‘surely’ caught my attention in Today’s Holy Nougat, I had no idea it also referred to onlyest. Go figure.

“Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the LORD’s house as long as I live.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Most Def

One of the less mentioned transliterations offered by Strongs for ‘Surely’ is only. As in, for the rest of my life, ONLY Goodness AND Mercy shall follow me. Which can then be understood as, ‘of all that can beset me in life, Goodness and Mercy are the Onlyest ones God permits.’ Now that’s some good news right there. Most Def

What would it be like for that to be our reality? Hmmm I wonder . The Fact is (and I’m pleased to tell you this) it already is! But many of us fail to realize it. I believe that this is part of what David was telling, – well, actually – reminding himself about. Theologian and commentator Charles Spurgeon is credited with saying that this psalm was written in David’s more mature years as king, and that it ‘charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophies of the world.’ While I would quibble on the use of charmed, I must concur, as I believe that David was encouraging himself with this psalm.

As an experienced shepherd and as the forgotten and ignored son, David was familiar with frustration. Years spent soothing the unstable king Saul’s spirit would have familiarized him with self preservation. Decades on the run deepened his perseverance. As king in residence (at long last), he needed all those AND more to rule effectively. I suspect it was one of those moments that triggered the 23rd Psalm.

We’re told that David sometimes had to encourage himself. And what better way to do so, especially in that stressful moment, than to say, ‘God’s grace and faithful lovingkindness is mine.’ Most Def

For that’s basically what he was reminding himself. Certainly, Surely, Most Definitely (ie Most Def), as I protected my sheep and always secured their well-being, God’s provided Goodness and Mercy to overflow to the extent that they follow me! It’s gotta be so. Most Def

So, as we face the weekend, I pray we can see that regardless of what is before us, the onlyest thing within and behind us is God’s Goodness and Mercy.

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ