The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:1 NKJV
I don’t pretend to be theologian.
I’ve never gone to seminary.
But, I’ve raised sheep and I look at this verse through that perspective.
There’s so much meaning contained in these few lines.
“The LORD is my shepherd” means He is in control of supplying my every need.
He is the One who knows where I should go, what lies ahead, and how He will provide.
Thus the line: “I shall not want” is in response to the beginning of God being the Shepherd.
For me it means two things.
It’s referring to the truth that God will supply all my needs.
It’s also a statement: “I shall not want”.
Sheep will stand knee deep in lush grass and try to get their head through the fence to eat the tough old grass growing alongside the road.
Sheep will have plenty of forage in the field, but will refuse to go eat it because they are standing next to the empty feed trough.
It’s empty because of two things: it is not time to feed yet or they don’t need to be fed because there’s plenty of forage.
Yet, some will choose to ignore the field and will remain next to the empty troughs, loudly complaining about the lack of grain.
“I shall not want” is a realization that my Shepherd has provided.
He may not always give me what I want, but He has always provided what I need.
I can choose to thank Him for what He has supplied without worrying about what I will need in the future, without longing for something else.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:1 NKJV
It’s a testimony to build on.
It’s a truth to rest securely in.
It’s my promise both for this world and for the one to come.
Praise the Lord!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for Your truth. Lord, You have supplied all my needs and I’m so grateful. You have far surpassed my expectations time and again, sustaining me when I couldn’t see how You were going to provide. Lord, if You could handle multitudes of people in the desert for forty years, I know You can handle me. Thank You! I love You, Jesus. Amen
patientlyhopeful 