You Shall Not Want {No Matter What Monday}

I’ll never forget the empty shelves during that pre-dawn trip to the grocery store. It was a few days into the quarantine, and I ventured out to the grocery store, arriving at opening time and hoping it wouldn’t be crowded. I wandered around the store, trying to figure out meals based on what was available. Many of us have recently felt the stress of lacking what was once plentiful, whether it’s income, a 401K balance, groceries, or toilet paper.  

One of the most well-known verses in the Bible tells us that God will supply everything we need. It’s so familiar that sometimes we forget how truly incredible these words are: 

“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’s more than 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. (I need a vacation, right?!) 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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