I Shall Not Want

By Pastor Boffey
on Friday, February 28, 2014

Psalms 23:1-6 (1) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Following is a simple meditation on Psalm 23. This very familiar psalm opens with faith claiming the LORD as shepherd and with the LORD as shepherd, it follows for the psalmist, “I shall not want.” The word “want” means “be lacking, missing or deficient.” I shall not want rest. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” I shall not want drink. “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” I shall not want forgiveness. “He restoreth my soul.” I shall not want guidance. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” I shall not want companionship. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” I shall not want comfort. “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” I shall not want food. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” I shall not want joy. “Thou anointest my head with oil.” I shall not want abundance. “My cup runneth over.” I shall not want anything in this life. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." I shall not want anything in the next life. “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Now please ask yourselves, O sheep of His pasture (PSA 100:3), what is it you are lacking if the LORD is your shepherd? (Philippians 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:20) Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.