I Shall Not Want

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."  Psalms 23:1 (NIV)

This well known psalm of David depicts God as a shepherd who provides for, protects, and directs His sheep.  This image was clearly understood in David's time.  His comment "I shall not want" (KJV) implies that God will provide all that he needs and therefore he wants for nothing.

Most Christians today can quote the twenty-third Psalm, in part if not recite it in its entirety.  We say it, but we do not really mean it.  We say "I shall not want" but our prayers are usually long lists of "wants".  And that does not include our long list of worldly wants, wishes, desires, and preferences.  We need to realize that our number one priority should be to give God glory, not our personal pleasure or self satisfaction.  He knows what we need and what we want, and He is able to supply it according to His riches in glory.  Let us spend more time thanking Him for what He has already done and less time asking Him for more blessings.  He is able to supply all of our needs.  We need to do a better job of appreciating all that He has done for us, is doing for us, and know that He will do for us in the future.