I Shall Not Want

Psalm 23 (HGSB) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

From the imagery, the beautiful word pictures David writes, we can see his thoughts had returned to the secure time of his boyhood when he himself was a shepherd who totally cared for his sheep and in whom his sheep could completely trust. What a vivid, comforting thought for him to conceive of the Lord as his shepherd, "The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, we see his satisfaction in the care of the great Sheperd of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is God. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an image of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls. The thought is just as vivid and comforting today to the Christian who, in the midst of the turmoil and frustrations of life, fully understands the Lord is his shepherd also, and therefore, he shall not want.

The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man who relishes only what pleases the senses; but to a godly man who by faith tastes the goodness of God, though he has little of the world, it is a green pasture. The Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is. We are blessed with the green pastures, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us abide in them.

The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which Believers are led, the streams which flow from the Fountain of Living Waters. Those led by the still waters of comfort, walk in the paths of righteousness. The work of righteousness is peace. In these paths we cannot walk, unless God lead us to them and in them.

Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief and an unsteady walk is the consequence. Let us then simply trust our Shepherd's care, and hearken to his voice. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction the psalmist ever could come under. Between the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the other. It is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor shadows of a sword kill. It is a deep, dark and miry valley; but valleys are often fruitful, full of comforts to God's people. We walk through it: we shall not be lost in this valley, but led to the mountain on the other side. Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When we come to die, God will rebuke the enemy; He will guide us with His rod, and sustain us with His staff. The gospel comforts the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms.

The Lord's people feast at His table on the provisions of His love. Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy our comfort when we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvation which is ever full. Past experience teaches us to trust the goodness and mercy of God will follow us all the days of our lives, and it is our desire and determination, to seek happiness in the service of God here, and enjoy His love for ever in heaven. While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of His Spirit and the joys of His salvation. We shall not want!