I Shall Not Want

I have begun the process of preparing to speak at a teen holiday camp (Kedron) next week.  I have been struck with the simple, old truth of Psalm 23:1:  "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."  The Hebrew word translated "want" the Strong's concordance defines as, "to lack, by implication to fail."  Because the LORD was David's shepherd, he knew with absolute certainty he lacked no good thing.  Having God as his shepherd assured David he would not fail.  Every word of God's promises would come to pass.

We are born in this world in desperate want, far beyond our minds can understand.  We are born naked and helpless.  Humans begin life without the capacity to speak, walk, design, provide money, or even see clearly with developing eyes.  Every one of us was born completely dependent on others for food, clothing, physical touch, washing, protection, and training.  Even when we mature and develop, our needs do not lessen.  Greater responsibilities and requirements are added upon us in adulthood than we ever realised as little children.  The trouble is, in our later years we can be duped into thinking we have become self-sufficient.  We may think we no longer need the shepherding of our parents and teachers - or even God.  This is great folly and evil, for it is God who supplies all people living with breath during our allotted time on earth.  We never outgrow our need for love, forgiveness, and God's gracious salvation.

The LORD impressed upon me the thought that He has made every person unique, but there is not one original thing about any of us.  We all are followers of someone or something.  Should we play the rebel, we cannot deny many rebels have blazed that same trail.  We follow our favourite celebrities, fashions, sports teams, musicians, or the "almighty dollar."  All the people we follow are following someone too.  We are all born with stomachs which are never permanently satisfied, with eyes that never grow weary of seeing.  As we grow we realise there is more of this world we want, yet the more we have the less satisfaction we seem to experience.  It didn't matter if David was a shepherd in a field, a fugitive in a cave, or a king in a palace:  the LORD was his shepherd.  "I shall not want," said David due to the character of God revealed in scripture.  David knew God would always provide for his needs graciously and abundantly.  He wrote in Psalm 34:10, "The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing."

David had everything he needed, and knew His future was secure in God.  Should David follow God's leading, he could not fail.  These facts provide those who follow the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ with great consolation.  David did not say, "The LORD is my shepherd, therefore my needs are met."  The implication David's needs had been met, and he spoke confidently of the future:  "I shall not want."  David had enough today, and God would be faithful to supply his needs tomorrow.  David was led by God in the present and knew God would lead him tomorrow as well.  Do you experience such assurance and peace?  Unless the LORD is your shepherd, you cannot say with certainty what David did.  God is perfect, unchanging, and good.  David faithfully demonstrated the wisdom Jesus later exhorted His disciples to embrace in Matthew 6:31-33:  "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."