Beside Quiet Waters: Psalm 23Sample

I shall not want

If I asked you what you wanted right now, how would you reply? I bet I could guess a few of your responses:

A good night’s sleep

More help around the house

A little free time with no responsibilities

Relief from my loneliness, depression, or anxiety…

In Psalm 23, the Psalmist David says that because God is his shepherd, he “shall not want.” But in reading this verse I found myself wondering - if God is my shepherd, why is it that I still want so many things?

In the original language, “I shall not want” doesn’t actually convey “I shall not desire” but rather, “I shall not be wanting.” In other words, with God as our shepherd, we may still desire things we don’t have, but we will never be left wanting for what we truly need. God always makes sure we have what he knows is best for us.

The reality is, we will only submit to God as our shepherd when we realize that we need him as our shepherd. Our needs - for energy, for patience, for security - these are not something to shove down in an attempt to be better or stronger; rather, our needs are something to be embraced as the pathway to God. Revealing our insufficiency leads us to dependency upon God.

This we can be sure of: our hearts are made to find complete satisfaction in God himself and the love he offers us. God ensures his sheep never lack what they truly need. Today, don’t run from your neediness. Accept that you are insufficient on your own, and put your trust in the perfect care of your Good Shepherd.