Isaiah Pauley
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Re-run - You’re pursuing me

8/5/2017

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Picture
“It’s a re-run. You’ve seen this a thousand times!”
​
Yeah, but a thousand times isn’t enough. Not when it comes to the blessings of God. Not when it comes to the time He saved your soul. Healed your body. Made a way. Protected you from a car wreck.
I’ve probably watched a re-run of that episode a hundred times since last Saturday.

But it’s good for me. It awakens me. When I hear the “crash” and see the glass I realize just how good and loving my God is.

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6 NLT).

God is always pursuing me with His love and goodness, so there’s always a re-run being made.

But the word “pursue” stands out to me. I wonder if David uses this terminology because of his consistent struggle of being pursued by his enemies?

I mean, consider some of his other Psalms.

“My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me” (Psalm 31:15-16 NLT).

“Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say, ‘I will give you victory!’” (Psalm 35:3 NLT).

I’ve written a lot about enemies recently. For David, they’re often actual people. But your enemies may be struggles, hurts, hangups, and temptations. What enemies are pursuing you?

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT).

But there’s someone else pursuing you. His name is Jesus.

David realizes this. He says, “Make their [the enemies’] path dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them” (Psalm 35:6 NLT).

Enemies may pursue us, but so does our God.

Do you ever find yourself in the rut? Times when you are completely and utterly depressed? Days when the enemies seem to catch up with you? I find myself here quite often, so I need reminded of the God who pursues me. Even though enemies try to chase us down, Jesus is pursuing us with unrivaled love.

When I read Psalm 23:6, I gather a love pursuit. God wants to pursue me all the days of my life with goodness and love. And then, when all is done, I will live with Him forever in eternity.

Maybe you, like me, need reminded of this cycle. Maybe there’s doubt in your heart. Will God really provide? Will God really do what He promises? Is there really something to hope for? Will He come through for me…again?

Do yourself a favor and re-run the goodness and love of Jesus in your mind. Re-run the moment He saved your soul. Re-run the time when He healed you. Re-run that day when He rescued you from a car accident. Re-run the memories of Jesus outrunning your enemies.

He pursued you then. He’s pursuing you now. And He always will. Then one day you’ll enter into His glory and find your complete victory from the enemies chasing after your soul.

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever” (V. 6).

Let’s do a little re-run of this summer series.

Re-evaluate the simplicity of who Jesus is. Re-identify who you are in Jesus. Rest in Jesus’ presence. Allow Jesus to restore your soul. Redirect your decisions to honor Jesus’ name. Rediscover Jesus’ presence in the valley. Reconnect with Jesus while your enemies surround you. And get a refill of the only thing you really want—Jesus.

Just Jesus.
​
Now, let’s re-run His goodness and love over and over again, knowing that we’re living in a moment that will soon become yet another re-run. All because Jesus pursues us.
Praise you, Jesus. You’re pursuing me.
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