Psalms 23:1b
December 5, 2011 Gary Bowles
As believers it is common to hear that we should not want for things. Basically that we should have no desires. This misinterpretation comes from the belief that Psalms 23:1b tells us not to want. But nothing is further from the truth. When David wrote the 23 Psalm, he wrote from the perspective of God being the ultimate provider. He wrote from the perspective that all his needs were met by that provider.
A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1
One thing is for sure we know that David often prayed to God for things he wanted. David prayed to God for many things and had many desires for God to fulfill. A quick read of Psalms 20 gives us a glimpse:
For the director of music. A psalm of David. May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you, May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!
As we dig further we can nearly feel David’s shout for joy over God’s provision. The Lord is my Shepherd, he provides all my needs and I shall not be in need. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:19 that God will provide all our needs; And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
So let us not get caught up in the mundane things and the things that so easily set us back and revel in the fact that as our Shepherd, God supplies all our needs and many of our wants…
Til next time,
Gary B.
