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Joe Namath is a legend in American football. He was the quarterback for the New York Jets in 1969. They won the AFL championship game and were 18-point underdogs to the Baltimore Colts for Superbowl III. Three days before the big game, Namath guaranteed a Jets victory in a statement to the press. People thought he was crazy to do it! However, the Jets went on to win 16 – 7. Namath’s bold assertion of victory is one of the most famous statements made by an athlete.*
Speaking of bold assertions, the 23rd Psalm begins with one – “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” It also ends with the same attitude. Verse 6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Notice the psalmist’s assurance has two parts. First, he is sure about life today — goodness and mercy would follow to the end of life. Second was assurance about eternity. He would dwell in the Lord’s house forever.
The psalm teaches us to have trust and dependence on God, like sheep that follow a shepherd. In John 10:11 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” That is the reason we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!
*Kellar Ellsworth, “1969: Joe Namath Guarantees A Super Bowl Victory For His Underdog Jets,” Groovy History, https://groovyhistory.com/joe-namath-super-bowl-guarantee.
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.