Seems ironic but it has been said that ancient near Eastern kings would call themselves Shepherds of their people. The writing of Psalm 23 has been attributed to David who was a king, understood God as King of kings, and addressed Jehovah as his Shepherd. Incidentally, David had no lack. He had sufficient provision to execute the mission God put before him, although if it were counted in today’s secular system people would likely consider his substance as excess.
Our world is increasingly obsessed with excess and lack, including in western Christianism. You can scroll through countless social media feeds and find folks who think they lack the perfect body, the dream vacation, the latest cell phone, a bigger house, and seemingly effortless success. This is usually fueled by images and advertisements that scream about what we do not have, what someone who doesn’t know us think we should have, and it is all stimulated by an insatiable hunger for more. A mentality of scarcity can breed anxiety, envy, and the feeling of being incomplete.
Yet, in eight powerful, plain and simple words, the scarcity mindset is shattered and the foundation of truth and lasting prosperity are unveiled, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
The foundation of provision is the declaration that “The Lord is my shepherd.” It is a present-tense reality, and based in a personal relationship with the Shepherd. The statement recognizes God’s active role in guiding, protecting, providing, and caring intimately for His sheep. Prosperity begins at this point of understanding of position rather than possessions. It is the recognition that we belong to a loving, capable, and sovereign Provider. Our security is rooted in Who we are connected to, not what we possess.
The Hebrew word for “want” (hāsēr) implies deficiency, lack, being without, decrease, or having a need. It is framed as a state of being rather than circumstances. Thus, Psalm 23:1 is more focused on sufficiency versus obtaining diamond-encrusted shirt collars. These words may bring tension between our human perception of lack and God’s prosperous provision. However, the basis of “not wanting” is related to Who is our Shepherd.
“I shall not want” is a proclamation of sufficiency and freedom from crippling lack rather than a promise of the secular standard of limitless luxury and neither is it the absence of desires. He is the one who gives the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in Him (Psalms 37:4).
Understand that because the Lord is actively shepherding you, you will not lack what you need. Your essential requirements, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, will be met. You may not have everything in the world there is available to acquire, but trust that you will have enough of what matters under the Shepherd’s provision and care. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, KJV)
Steady Your Heart
- To Pray: That you will keep His testimonies and seek Him with your whole heart. (Psalm 119:2); And may the Most High God save us, His people, and bless His inheritance, feed us also, and lift us up forever. (Psalm 28:9)
- To Reflect: Think about your relationship with God and how you delight in Him, to include spending time with Him and getting to know the kind of God He is. Not only the understanding who He is from a scripture standpoint, but be cognizant of how He is manifesting and moving in your own life.
- To Share: Encourage others to trust and have confidence in God’s care and provision for them. Have compassion and admonish those you encounter of the testimonies or results of His Shepherding.
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