Psalms 23: 1 says the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Everyone has a want or that no one is self-sufficient. There are many of us who deceive ourselves that we are self-sufficient. We may have money or power or influence etc. However, these may not necessarily translate into sound sleep, sound health, inner peace, longevity of life or immunity from many other challenges in life.
To David, he found the Lord as his provider. He regarded the Lord as his shepherd which means he resigned his life into God’s hands and care. He considered himself as helpless without God. Jesus said in John 10: 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own knows me. To David, his wants would be provided by the shepherd even at the peril of the shepherd. Jesus said in John 10: 11 the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. David’s confession was based on his faith, and his encounter with God.
Our reason for sharing a similar confession with David must be based on scripture which includes:
God’s promise
Jesus said in John 15: 7 if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. To abide in God is to be righteous hence James 5: 16 says the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. David confessed his sins to God at every turn of his life, hence he was God’s friend and his prayer could be heard by God. 1Peter 3: 12 says for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
God’s sufficiency
Paul wrote in Philippians 4: 19 and my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. God is not deficient in any way. We often focus on the tangibles in life and discount the intangibles which are rather the free gifts of life, example health and life. Jesus is quoted as saying in 2Corinthians 12: 9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s grace is a favour which cannot be earned. It is God’s grace that opens doors for other blessings.
God knows our needs
God is not far from us as some opine. He follows our progress with keen interest. Job said in Job 28: 24 for he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens. God knows our needs better than we can ever know of our needs because he created us and knows our weaknesses. Psalms 89: 11 says the heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it–you have founded them. Our faith is enriched in God with these quotations that we shall not want. Jeremiah 10: 12 says it is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. Do we believe that God knows our needs so we shall not want?
God is the Lord of Host
God’s plan for our lives and his creation cannot be thwarted by any power. Isaiah 45: 5 says I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me. Before and after God, there is none like him in every measure. Jeremiah 32: 17 says nothing is too hard for you (God). Referring to God, Psalms 40: 5 says none can compare with you. Psalms 89: 6 says for who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD. Our God is awesome. Isaiah 40: 18 says to whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compares with him? Isaiah 40: 25 says to whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? Says the Holy One. (Read also Isaiah 46: 5).
Our God is a faithful God
The character or nature of our guard tells how he positions ourselves. David was not anxious because he worshiped a faithful God. Paul also wrote in Philippians 4: 11… I have learned to be content with whatever I have. He knew his God as a faithful God. He further wrote in 2Thessalonians 3: 3 the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. Other gods may pretend to guard us but will turn to harm us eventually. God demands just faithfulness as he is faithful. Psalms 37: 28 says for the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones. The righteous shall be kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. Are we faithful to God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we are thankful to you that in you we shall not want. Heal our faith and restore our righteousness to be faithful to your will. You are the same for all times and throughout all generations. Make us to be content in you through Christ Jesus our blessed Lord. Let us know that you are God who never fails. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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