ICS Daily Devotions
The Lord Is My Shepherd I Shall Not Want
Psalms 23:1 The LORD is MY shepherd; I shall not want.
Many scholars believe that Psalms 23 was written at a later stage of King David’s life as he looked retrospectively at his own life experiences. David was truly a man after God’s heart. God was his shepherd and a very personal one at that.
The Greek word for “want” (lack, be without, have need) is hustereo, which means to “fall short of the end” including falling short of expectations. As humans, we have many wants while on this earth. For example, we want to have peace in our souls, enough finances, good jobs, sense of security, good family, good health and the list goes on and on. It would wear us down if we attempt to achieve all of these based on our own strength. But it would be different if we call on God our covenant partner to achieve these.
King David was a man who knew God and God’s heart. He was fully aware that he should have no want in life if God was the one who watched over him. There is none as powerful as the GREAT I AM. Everything that David needed in life, whether it was spiritual, emotional or physical, could be found in God. He would have no lack! What a powerful revelation!
Using the shepherd and sheep relationship, King David could articulate how God led him, protected him and provided for him in the face of his enemies. David had faith and knew that God would deliver him in all circumstances. He knew he could call upon God his covenant partner. So too can we, for Jesus came to establish the everlasting covenant with us through His blood! It is a covenant built on better promises!
Put yourself in God’s hand. You will begin to experience His grace, love and mercy. He will be able to lead you, carry you, comfort you and protect you, for you will be in hand of the Good Shepherd like King David was.
What other wants do you need in life if you have the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Almighty God and the Most High in covenant with you? We should be like David who was fully aware to depend and call upon the Almighty Shepherd to come to his aid. Do you believe you are also able to do the same? Will God not provide us all the needs in life? We shall NOT WANT when Jesus is our Good Shepherd!
Sermon Series: The Lord Is My Shepherd I Shall Not Want
