I Shall Not Want
When David wrote these words, he was writing from the perspective of a sheep. I confess, that sometimes my tendency to be a sheep shows up when I see something I don’t like, and say, “Baaaah!” Thankfully, that isn’t what David was thinking about when he penned this psalm!
What does it mean to be a sheep who does not want for anything? Well, it means he has a good shepherd who makes sure he has food and water, shelter from the elements, protection from danger, and someone to go find him and lead him home when he goes astray. His hurts and sicknesses are tended to.
But when David wrote this psalm, he knew that it was also about something far deeper than having his physical needs fulfilled. Most scholars believe that David wrote this psalm later in life, and therefore he is writing from experience. Consider some of the experience that David went through in his life:
At the beginning of his leadership career, he was hunted down by his boss and former mentor, King Saul. David was on the run for several years of his life.
David experienced the tragic loss of his best friend, Jonathan, whom he loved dearly.
David lost a son in infancy as the heartbreaking outcome of his act of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband.
Later on, David experienced the painful betrayal of a son, Absalom, who tried to seize the throne through a coup.
At the end of his life, yet another son, Adonijah, tried to seize the throne against David’s wishes.
In all this, David came to realize that none of us, not even Israel’s greatest king, is immune from hardship and struggle. Yet he could say, “I shall not want.” How can this be?
One word: Trust.
You see, through all of these difficult experiences, David found that God was always there to see him through. In another psalm, David penned these beautiful words: “He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:3-4). What a peace that David proclaimed amid physical trial, that his God, the one to whom David belonged, would keep watch over David without interruption and without fail. David trusted God because God had proven to be trustworthy.
We can have this same confidence, provided we have put ourselves under the care and direction of the Good Shepherd! W. Phillip Keller writes, “Contentment should be the hallmark of the man or woman who has put his or her affairs in the hands of God.”
From our perspective, we are contented in the Good Shepherd’s care. The retirement package is nice to have, and it may or may not come to fruition, but our assurance in Christ is so solid that the fate of the retirement package does not consume us. Our physical health is a beautiful thing if we have it, but even if we don’t, we are at peace, because we know that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). In that moment when we draw our final breath, we are going home to Jesus, so we win no matter what!
The Apostle Paul lived out this faith in an exemplary way. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
I should add that Paul also knew what it was like to live in isolation and still be content in the Lord, given his time spent in a Roman prison, where he wrote several books of the Bible!
Jesus said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). It is Him who gives us strength. We don’t get it from ourselves. Our contentment comes from Jesus. I shall not want, because He gives me the strength and grace to be at peace in all situations, including this pandemic.
So, as we continue to move forward into the days ahead, although we don’t know exactly how each day will unfold, let our focus be this: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. Therefore, it is well with my soul.
Be blessed,
Pastor Bryan