He meets our needs
A loving Shepherd cares for His sheep. He makes sure that they have enough to eat, a place to sleep, and needed for their care.
What a wonderful Shepherd we have. Our Shepherd is the LORD who chose to love His creation, live, and laugh with us. We have learned so much, yet we have only considered the first five words of Psalm 23.
Now meditate on “I shall not want!”
The Bible translates that Hebrew word “want” as wanted, fail, abated, decreased, made, had no lack, have no need, fail, bereave, lack, or lacked. The idea of the word is I shall not need, or I will lack nothing.
I shall not be reduced, be deprived, or He will not keep me from having, keeping, or obtaining. His provisions will not be inadequate.
I think about how our Shepherd provided for the nation of Israel in the wilderness. God provided them with shoes that didn’t wear out, clothes that grew with them, food from Heaven, and water from a rock. They didn’t lack.
God provided for Elijah by sending ravens to feed him by the Brook Cherith. A widow of Zarephath took care of Elijah and her family by God’s miraculous provision.
King David said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed begging for bread. Psalm 37:25
In Matthew 6, Jesus made it clear that our Father knows what we need and will provide it for us as we seek Him first.
Paul taught us we must learn to be content in any situation or circumstance. The Holy Spirit of God teaches us, and we learn it. The Lord our Father instructs us on how to deal with both plenty and hunger, abundance and need—Philippian 4:11-13.
Application
“I shall not want” is a promise from God, but Paul shows us how God instructed him, and he learned to be content. We must recognize God’s provision, trust His ability to meet our needs and cultivate a sense of satisfaction. There is a difference between wants and needs.
“I shall not want” refers to God providing what I need, so it means I am not to compare my life with others, compete with others, or covet what others have.
When I believe the truth that “I shall not want” promises, I will see God as the source of my abundance, life, and all I need. I know that He can meet every need I have.
I will trust Him as I make decisions. I will always be grateful and recognize even the slightest provision as evidence that my Shepherd cares for me. Knowing this, I will give thanks in everything while still casting my cares on Him, knowing that He cares.
Every day, I remind myself out loud that “The LORD is my shepherd.” I decide I will trust Him.