I Shall Not Want

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Psalm 23:1

Christ shepherds His people in every way. David, having been a shepherd himself was keenly aware of the details of that occupation. He knew the difference between a good shepherd and a bad one. He knew how dependent and needy sheep are. He began by claiming Christ as His own. He started with the Person of Christ and proceeded to His work. He declares, ‘I shall not want.’ The implication of this statement is that David understood that because Christ was his Shepherd, he would lack for nothing. He knew that Christ was not just the Good Shepherd but the Great Shepherd. As the Great Shepherd and his own personal Shepherd, Christ would guarantee his complete welfare. This is the historic testimony of the redeemed. God having not spared His Own Son but having freely delivered Him up for us all, will also, with Him, freely give us all things. This is what we have because Christ is our Shepherd. What Christ gives to us and does for us guarantees our total welfare. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.’ This means David’s testimony is our testimony. What Christ did for him, He will do for us. We are as secure as David was. What he had, we have. When we say, ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want,’ we mean all that David meant.  

Our Gracious Savior and our God, 
we rejoice that You care for us in every way. 
We praise You that because You are our shepherd, 
we shall not want. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning