The clock read 12:30 a.m. as I tried to calm my daughter’s cries. Sleeplessness had turned into panic as she realized how exhaustion would affect her the next day. I stroked her hair and struggled to believe my own words: “Sweetheart, you can trust God to give you the rest you need to face each day.”

One of the most well-known verses in the Bible tells us that God will supply everything we need. But have these familiar words taken root in our hearts? I know this is an area where my trust still needs to grow.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

Step back and imagine you are an ancient Israelite, worshipping the Lord with your family, hearing this for the first time. I think it would make me stop and think, because this verse makes some shocking claims!

First of all, David says the Lord is our Shepherd. He’s not only Creator and King ruling over all things. He isn’t just a strong Rock or Shelter we can run to for protection. He is all of these things, but He is also our Shepherd: He is with us, knows us personally, carries us, and provides for us.

And because our Shepherd is also the Creator of the universe and the powerful King of kings, we shall not want. Let that soak in. We will not ever go without anything we need.

I’ll be the first to admit this doesn’t always feel true. But we see throughout God’s Word that He provides for His children. He gave His most precious gift to provide for our greatest need: His only Son sacrificed for our salvation. As Romans 8:32 says, we know that in addition to Christ, He will give us everything else we need.

My Shepherd may not give me everything I want, but He gives me everything I need. As I learn to find my greatest delight in Him and in His gifts, I shall not want.

No matter what you face this week, your Shepherd will give you all that you need.

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