We began this month’s prison ministry focused Anchor with a look at the first verse of Psalm 23. We close now with Psalm 23’s last verse, chosen as a favorite source of encouragement from today’s prisoner-contributor, who has a long journey ahead of him. “I memorized this psalm, and it sustained me while I was fighting my trial alone and was given multiple life sentences.”

Many of you who are reading this may also be facing difficulties which are not likely even in this lifetime to be resolved. So the word “forever” carries much weight. When looking down the road of lifelong problems, “forever” feels daunting. At first glance, the conviction of “life sentence” holds out very little hope. Only in the context of life with the Lord here on earth and then as we reach heaven with Him one day does “forever” sound good.

Jesus has taken sin’s life sentence––a sentence we all face––and redeems our life (see Psalm 103:4). We can say with the psalmist, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 118:29).