What Follows Close Behind?

What follows close behind? 

I was walking as the shadows grew, the light was fading fast

My thoughts were troubled as I mused reflecting on my past

To make it worse I thought I heard the sound of steps behind

I wasn’t sure someone was there but fear tempted my mind

So just in case I changed my gait spurred on by inner fear

But much to my alarm the sounds of steps behind grew near

This walk now far from pleasant more a nightmare had become

Not helped at all by memories of the trouble I’d come from

What would I use for my defense should there be an attack

The fear unknown much more had grown the threat behind my back

To quell the fear I made the choice to stop and stand my ground

With muscles tense I turned to pounce and this is what I found

No one was there, no sound of steps, I stood still all alone

The only sound now on my ear was my own desperate moan

I turned again a bit confused and started off once more

And wondered why when fear did knock I opened up the door

No sooner had the question formed the answer quickly came

The fear of man becomes a snare – my own heart was to blame

More conscious of what men might know and think or say of me

I fled when none pursued at all for I lost sight of Thee

A lesson from this parable I offer as a friend

There is a way to close the door and bring fear to an end

Don’t flee the past, don’t troubled be, don’t fret within your mind

The sound you hear is goodness all and mercy near behind

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”