Followed By Mercy

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Have you ever stopped to wonder if God’s goodness is actually chasing you down even when it feels like everything else is falling apart? In this episode, we dig deep into the words of Psalm 23:6 and discover that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me” means much more than just trailing behind. In the original Hebrew, “follow” describes a love that pursues you relentlessly, fiercely, the way an army hunts down a prize. It’s the same word used for tracking enemies, except here, it’s God’s kindness refusing to quit on you.

David wrote these words not from a place of comfort, but as a hunted man. He’d lost his palace, his position, and nearly everything that once defined his life. And yet, instead of being preoccupied by his enemies, he saw himself as being chased by the goodness and mercy of God. That one shift changed everything for him.

Maybe you’re walking through a dark valley right now. Maybe pain, loss, or uncertainty has been shadowing your steps. This episode is for you. We’ll talk honestly about what it means to see Christ, not just the chaos, to trust the Shepherd, not just fear the soldiers behind you. David’s story reminds us that God’s goodness isn’t seasonal or situational; it’s a daily pursuit, especially in our hardest seasons.

If you’ve ever struggled to believe that God could be for you, even when everything is against you, this conversation will open your eyes to a love that doesn’t stop at your failures, your doubts, or even your running. One listener said, “I never realized God’s goodness was hunting me down until I heard this, now I can’t unsee it in every situation.” That’s the kind of freedom and hope you’ll find here, too.

Discover a Shepherd who never gives up on you? Listen in, and let’s open our eyes to the relentless mercy at work in every chapter of your story.

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How could David write, "my cup runs over," when his life was falling apart or had already fallen apart? Let's take a look at Psalm 23 and the story behind it. David didn't write from a place of safety or celebration. He was running for his life, barefoot and heartbroken, surrounded by betrayal and loss. Yet somehow, in the shadows, he spoke of abundance.

What changed? It wasn't David's circumstances. It was where he put his focus. Instead of staring down his enemies, he looked to his Shepherd, the One who stayed close in the valley and prepared a table right in front of those who wanted to see him fail.

This conversation is for anyone feeling pressed in by fear, pain, or disappointment. An overflowing cup isn't about having a perfect life, but about discovering God's extravagant love where you are. Colossians 2:10, Ephesians 1:3 We're already complete in Him, lacking nothing, even when life says otherwise.

God doesn't just help us survive hard seasons. He pours out blessings in the very places we feel empty. This kind of abundance doesn't depend on us getting it right. It's the gift of a Shepherd who comes looking for us, no matter how lost or broken we feel.

If you're tired, hurting, or wondering if God sees you, join us at the table. There's a feast waiting in the valley. And the truth is, Jesus came not to harm, but to give life and life more abundantly.

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What if everything you believed about your spiritual worth was built on a misunderstanding? That inner critic telling you “you’re not enough” isn’t just mistaken, it’s denying the truth Christ has already spoken.

In this deeply personal episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with his son, David, a missionary who has spent twenty years in Peru, to discuss the surprising and relentless mercy of God. David shares powerful stories of God’s provision from unexpected vehicles to last-minute financial help during furlough, which have carried his family through every season.

At the heart of their conversation is the freeing message of Colossians: our identity isn’t something we earn by doing enough for God. It’s a gift we receive. The commands in Colossians 3 to “seek those things which are above” aren’t a weight or an obligation—they’re the natural response to understanding that we are already loved, already forgiven, already complete in Christ.

Are you tired of performance-based religion rules or the ache of feeling “not enough”? If so, you’ll find hope here. The Christian life isn’t about striving to win God’s favor; it’s about living each day in the security that God is already delighted in you. Join Austin and David for a conversation that’s honest, practical, and soaked in the goodness of God’s grace.

Connect with David on social media @PeruMinistry to learn more about his family’s work and how you can support their ministry in Peru.

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Have you ever felt the crushing weight of shame? That heaviness that makes you want to keep your head down and hide from the world? “Thou anointest my head with oil,” those words from Psalm 23, offer a remedy that speaks to the heart of every person who’s ever felt unworthy.

David didn’t write this verse from the comfort of his palace. He wrote it on the run, stripped of everything, with his own son seeking his life. Yet, even in exile, he discovered something remarkable: the presence of his Shepherd brought him a joy no circumstance could take away.

In the ancient world, anointing oil was more than a religious act. It was a sign of honor, abundance, and joy, God’s way of lifting our heads and reminding us we still belong to Him. Picture a gentle hand reaching out, tilting your chin upward so you can finally look into your Father’s loving eyes. That’s what God does for us. He lifts our heads from shame and restores our dignity.

Because of Jesus, we stand completely forgiven. Our past is gone, and in its place is Christ’s own righteousness. We don’t have to define ourselves by our worst moments or our toughest seasons. In Christ, we’re made new beloved children, free to look our Father in the face with nothing standing between us.
This isn’t just hope for some far-off day in heaven. This is the life you’re invited into right now. No matter what shame or struggle you carry, God is anointing your head with oil today, inviting you to lift your face, experience His joy, and join the feast of His presence.

If you’re tired of walking with your head down, join us for this episode of Followed by Mercy. We’ll discuss finding genuine joy in the midst of pain, seeing our Shepherd instead of just our circumstances, and rediscovering what it means to be lifted from shame.

And to everyone listening around the world, Sweden, Switzerland, across Africa, and South America, thank you for sharing these messages of hope. If this episode helps you, pass it on to someone who needs to remember they can look God in the eyes again.

No matter what you’re facing, the Shepherd is with you, lifting your head, restoring your worth, and turning mourning into joy.

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Ever feel like you’re hanging on by a thread? Like David hiding in a cave, surrounded by trouble, wondering if you’ll ever see daylight again? That’s exactly where Psalm 23 comes alive, especially those simple words, “thou anointest my head with oil.”

This episode, “Followed by Mercy,” goes below the surface of Psalm 23 and digs deep into what it means to be anointed in the valley. Our Shepherd applying the oil wasn't just a nice touch; it was a healing, protective, and comforting gesture for the wounded sheep. For David, it was God’s quiet reminder that, even on the run and feeling like an outcast, he was still chosen and dearly loved.

You may feel anything but chosen right now. Your mind replays every accusation, every failure, and every fear. But here’s the truth: your Father loves you exactly as He loves Jesus. You are not your wounds, not your worst moments, and not what others say about you. In Christ, you are a new creation, marked and valued by God Himself.

What gets us through the darkest valleys isn’t just positive thinking or hoping life gets easier. It’s learning to see our Shepherd who applies His healing oil right when we need it most. David’s story shows us that when we remember who God is, we remember who we are in Him. No valley is final. No wound is too deep. Your Shepherd is still anointing your head with oil, claiming you as His beloved, and walking with you every step of the way.

If you’re worn out or feeling forgotten, this episode is for you. There’s hope. You’re not alone. And you are still followed by mercy.

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What if the secret to peace isn't gaining more control, but surrendering it?

Do you ever feel like the world is spinning out of control, and it's up to you to hold everything together? In this episode, host Austin Gardner welcomes Robert Canfield, president of Taking the Light Ministries, for an honest conversation about a different way to find peace, one that doesn't depend on having all the answers.

Drawing from the ancient wisdom of Psalm 131, Robert and Austin explore David's gentle picture of a soul at rest, not striving, not demanding, but quietly trusting like a child content in its mother's arms. It's a stunning reversal of what our anxious culture tells us about control and self-reliance. Instead of grasping for answers, David humbles himself and admits, "Some things are too high for me." That admission, from Israel's greatest king, is a gift for anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by life.

Robert shares his own story—from a small Ohio town to unexpected places around the globe—showing how God redirects our paths with purpose and mercy. Together, Austin and Robert dive into how pride and anxiety are often two sides of the same coin, and how trying to manage what only God can handle leaves us restless and worn.

This episode also explores the deep connection between stress, anxiety, and our spiritual posture. When we try to control what we were never meant to carry, the weight becomes too much. But God isn't looking for our performance; He's inviting us into His presence. Like Jesus said, "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Suppose you're troubled by world events, personal storms, or spiritual doubts. In that case, this conversation offers a gentle reminder: true peace isn't found in gaining more control, but in quietly surrendering and resting in the One who never lets go.

To learn more about Taking the Light Ministries, visit takingthelight.com or email Robert at [email protected].

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Ever felt like God's love is something you have to earn? In today's episode, Austin Gardner sits down with Robert Canfield for a conversation that might breathe fresh hope into your weary soul.

Together, they pull back the curtain on the exhausting cycle of performance-based religion—a cycle that leaves so many believers tired, ashamed, and feeling like God's love is always just out of reach. Robert shares powerful stories from his ministry, "Taking the Light," where radio broadcasts in Burkina Faso and Peru are reaching people who would never set foot in a church. You'll hear about a man who pedals his bicycle 45 minutes each way to be with God's people after discovering the gospel on the radio, and a former alcoholic now sharing truth with farmers across the fields, living proof that grace travels further than any of us can imagine.

Austin and Robert open Psalm 131, inviting listeners to let go of striving and rest in the quiet confidence of a soul that knows it is loved. They gently challenge the old, harmful story that God punishes wandering believers, and instead point to the relentless mercy of the Good Shepherd. As Austin puts it, "You can't outrun the Shepherd. He never leaves you because He never leaves us and never forsakes us."

Perhaps the most revolutionary truth in this conversation is how they reframe repentance not as a string of apologies or self-improvement plans, but as the honest, liberating moment when you surrender self-reliance and let Christ be enough for you. That's when Christianity shifts from striving to restful becoming.

Check out the promise Jesus gave in John 17:23: God loves you, right now, with the same love He has for Jesus Himself. Not because you performed, but because that's who He is.

If you're worn out, doubting God's love, or simply longing for something more genuine, this episode offers a gentle invitation to trade judgment for mercy and legalism for grace. Listen in and discover the freedom that comes when you finally believe you're already loved.

For more about Robert's ministry, visit takingthelight.com or email him at [email protected].

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Ever feel like you’re alone in the storm? Like the darkness is closing in, and nobody sees what you’re going through? What if the valley you’re dreading is the place where God wants to show you just how close He really is?

Psalm 23 isn’t a song for the dead; it’s hope for the living. David wrote it while running for his life, betrayed by his own son. He wasn’t sitting by quiet waters. He was in deep trouble and heartbreak, yet he found a peace he couldn’t explain. This psalm is raw, honest, and full of hope for anybody who’s been knocked down by life.

One line stands out: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” God doesn’t wait for your battles to be over before He blesses you. He sets the table for you right in the middle of the fight. He’s not afraid of your mess or your enemies, and He’s not waiting for you to clean yourself up. He wants to be with you, right where you are.

It’s easy to focus on what’s wrong, to complain, or to wonder if God even cares. Like Peter stepping out on the water, we start to sink when we stop looking at Jesus and start staring at the waves. The challenge is to practice gratitude instead of bitterness, to surrender instead of grabbing for control, and to let the Shepherd lead, even through the darkest valleys.

Whatever you’re facing pain in your body, heartbreak at home, a job that’s falling apart, or regret that just won’t let go, your struggle isn’t proof that God has left you. It’s a place where He wants to meet you, bless you, and walk with you. Even if your wounds are your own fault or you feel like you’ve made a mess, He’s still right there.

So take heart. You are not abandoned. God has already set the table, your cup is overflowing, and His goodness and mercy are following you right now, even while the battle still rages.

What if, just for today, you stopped looking at the problem and turned your eyes to the One who promises to be with you no matter what?

Let’s talk about how God’s presence changes everything, right in the valley.

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When life unravels, when trust is broken, when loss or disappointment corners us, Psalm 23 calls us to something deeper than just survival. It offers a way of seeing the world that lifts our eyes from the storm to the unchanging presence of our Shepherd. 

David wasn’t a stranger to suffering. He knew what it meant to be pursued, misunderstood, and weighed down by regret. Yet in his darkest hours, David didn’t just wish for better days; he chose radical trust. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” These words weren’t a denial of pain, but a bold declaration of faith, a choice to believe God’s goodness when circumstances screamed the opposite.

One of the most striking images in this Psalm is the table God prepares “in the presence of mine enemies.” It’s not escape from trouble, but provision right in the thick of it. God’s peace, hope, and abundance show up in the most unlikely places while enemies still watch, while storms still rage. He makes His care for us visible, even when life is hard.

Today’s episode is an invitation: Can we look beyond our wounds to the One who is with us in every valley? Will we believe that God’s provision isn’t waiting on the other side of this trial, but is here, now, in the midst of it?

If you’re carrying disappointment, grief, or the ache of broken trust, you’re not forgotten. God’s faithfulness is greater than your storm. His table is set for you, not after the battle, but right in the middle of it.

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When David said, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me,” he wasn’t talking about punishment; he was describing a Shepherd who stands between His sheep and danger, who guides and rescues, and who is always for us, even in the darkest valleys.

In today’s episode, we slow down with Psalm 23 to explore the real meaning behind the Shepherd’s rod and staff. These ancient tools aren’t about breaking sheep, but protecting them. The rod was a club to drive off predators, a symbol of God’s fierce protection. The staff, with its gentle curve, was for rescue and gentle guidance, not harm.

We’ll challenge the harmful idea that God “breaks” His children to teach them lessons. Anyone who has cared for livestock knows you don’t injure what you value; you protect it. God’s heart is to heal, not hurt; to guide, not shame.
You’ll hear my own story from missionary life in Peru, where God’s goodness showed up in an unexpected gift—two acres of land, provided at less than the cost of our old rental, simply because He loves to care for His own. This is what “goodness and mercy following us” looks like in real life.

If you’re walking through a valley right now, let this episode be a reminder: God is not out to break you. He’s beside you with rod and staff, protecting and guiding, bringing you safely home. The Shepherd’s comfort is real, even when the path is dark, because at the heart of it all is this unchanging truth: God is love, and the Lord is good.

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