Goodness and love will follow me

We know from stories about King David’s life recorded for us in 1 and 2 Samuel that he had many painful experiences in his life – some arising from his own sin and some from other people’s sin.   He was definitely not writing from an ivory tower immune from the trials of this living in a fallen world.  Interestingly the verses in Psalm 23 where King David affirms his confidence that goodness and love would follow him all the days of his life come after the verses where he affirmed his confidence that God would be with him as he walked through the valley of the shadow of death.  Experiencing even the hardest of circumstances and seasons does not preclude us from seeing God’s goodness and mercy.

We asked some of our members how they can see God’s goodness and mercy following them as they look back on their lives.  It is interesting how many echo David’s experience of seeing God working despite, and sometimes through, the most painful of circumstances. 

“When I was a young Christian I was introduced to the teaching of Francis Dixon.  Speaking on Psalm 37 he highlighted verses 23 and 24. I still remember them in the KJV ' The ways of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in them. Though he fall he will not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholds him with his right hand'.  Although I would not consider myself a 'good' man these verses have been very precious to me for the 40 plus years since. I have fallen many times but each time the Lord has restored me and lifted me back up to continue walking with Him.”  J

"The Christian who came on to me after hearing that I experience same-sex attraction meant to harm me, but looking back I can see how much God has used that for good. It forced me to be more open about my sexuality meaning that friends are now better able to support me, and it led me to TFT which has been such a blessing for me." N

“I’ve battled with depression for many years. I experienced sexual abuse between 12 -16 yrs old. My childhood for many reasons left me hungry  for a mother’s love. Aged 15 I became a Christian whilst the sexual abuse continued. This was all so hard to deal with and led to me being in and out of church for many years. The last 17 years have seen me being consistent in allowing God to do in my heart all He ever wanted. I ended a ten year gay relationship. Jesus has brought so much now that I didn’t run away from the giants in the land. On my worst days one of the things that has really helped press on in some really dark and lonely times is taking God at His word. His presence has sometimes felt so tangible like being wrapped up in a huge duvet of Love. That helps me to keep moving forward with my God and my King, Jesus.  I take particular encouragement from Hebrews 13:5b and the promise that God will never leave me nor forsake me.” M

"I've battled depression since I was a teenager. I remember a season when I had walked away from a potential relationship and my mental health had taken a real tumble.  Some time later I read Isaiah 40:30-31.  I longed to soar on wings like eagles, or even to run and not grow weary, but I was plodding, one painful step after another.  As I cast my mind back over the past year, I realised that in all those long months of being ill, I had not missed a single day of work. I was walking and had not fainted. I see God's provision in that." N

In my early 40s and shortly after joining TFT I felt strongly that I should tell the church leadership that I experience same-sex attraction. I was shocked at the negativity of the reaction: they could not accept that a Christian could have such a struggle, and they progressively dropped me out of all of my involvements after twenty five years in the church, even though I was (and still am) committed to living in accordance with orthodox biblical teaching on sexuality. Eventually and with God’s leading I moved to another church where I was welcomed, SSA and all, and have now been a devoted member there, including as a member of the leadership, for twenty years.  While I wouldn’t wish the experience I had on anyone, I’d like to encourage anyone who has had a bad experience of church that it is possible to find a church which combines biblical faithfulness with grace, compassion and welcome.” P
 

This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.