“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 What a powerful statement of faith from the psalmist: I SHALL NOT WANT. This is the utterance of one who has seen the constancy of God’s provision through thick and thin. Highs and lows. Ups and downs. And experiencing God’s abundance fortified him with the boldness to proclaim that he would never lack for anything he needed. I SHALL NOT WANT. It’s a testimony. Pure and simple. But I can’t help but think this also makes an excellent mantra for one who is determined to remain content with the provision of this God. You make me to lie down in green pastures. I SHALL NOT WANT to flee from the safety of Your commands. You lead me beside the still waters. I SHALL NOT WANT the shallow luxuries this world offers. You restore my soul. I SHALL NOT WANT substitutes extending false fulfillment. You lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. I SHALL NOT WANT the fleeting pleasures of sin. You are with me. I SHALL NOT WANT any distraction that would prevent me from sensing Your presence. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. I SHALL NOT WANT to escape your discipline, or to elude that trial which draws me back to the safety of Your embrace. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. I SHALL NOT WANT the provision You have allotted to another. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. I SHALL NOT WANT my brother’s talent or my sister’s ability, my friend’s blessing or another’s success. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. I SHALL NOT WANT to pursue or be pursued by anything or anyone else besides You. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I SHALL NOT WANT the diversion of temporal things which allure my sight. With such lavishly abundant provision – completely undeserved gifts of grace – how could I ask for more?
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:36:38 +0000
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