Psalm 23:1: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
It is one thing to say, “The Lord is a shepherd”—many people say that, and it sounds good. But can you make it personal and say, “The Lord is my shepherd”? By the authority of His redemptive work, His death and resurrection, you can trust Him and call Him your shepherd. It is also easy to say, “The Lord will be my shepherd,” but David did not say that either. He said, “The Lord is my shepherd.” This is his declaration. “I shall not want”—notice that David does not say, I have not wanted, but “I shall not want.”
What is it that I need? Well, I need safety. I’m a sheep, a stupid little animal. Therefore, my Shepherd sees to it that I won’t want for protection. He protects me. When a little sheep says, “I shall not want” and “I shall never perish,” it is because it has a wonderful Shepherd. “I shall not want” looks into the future and gives assurance to the child of God. The security of the believer rests upon the Shepherd. And the believer’s deduction rests upon his declaration. 1
Living the Transformed Life
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11
- Have you experienced your Shepherd feeding you His living Word?
- Have you experienced your Shepherd carrying you through the storms of life?
- Have you experienced your Shepherd providing for all your needs?
Your Shepherd loves you, His lamb, and He is all you will ever need.
Praise and Prayer
Thank You, Father, for being my Savior and my Shepherd. Dear Jesus, please help me to want only what You want for me.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Psalms 1-41) (electronic ed., Vol. 17, p. 135). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
