Through the Bible: PsalmsSample

I Shall Not Want

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters…. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-2, 4 NKJV) 

"God is my shepherd; I shall not want." A shepherd’s work was considered the lowest of all. Yet, God calls Himself our shepherd because He takes such good care of us, and that should satisfy our needs. “I shall not want” is both a declaration and decision – I have all that I need, and I decide to not desire more than what the Lord, my Shepherd, gives.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures." The shepherd knows how to give his sheep rest. Sheep do not lie down easily. If they are afraid, they will not lie down. If there is friction among other sheep, they will not lie down. If pests trouble them, they will not lie down. If sheep are anxious about food, they will not lie down. Rest comes because the shepherd has dealt with the sheep’s fear, friction, troubles, and physical needs. We are like sheep, and God has dealt with all these. Jesus spilled His blood in Golgotha so we could lie down in green pastures.

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Jesus Christ took the full penalty of sin in our place. We only need to walk through the dark valley because this is not the final destination. Our shepherd will lead us through to our eternal home – to God Himself.

Prayer

Father, even in discomfort, in rejection, or in the dark valley, I shall not want because Jesus Christ, my Lord, is my Shepherd. In His name I pray, Amen.