“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1 ESV).
When he wrote this psalm, King David must have been reflecting on his youth when he shepherded his father’s flock. As he remembered how the sheep trusted and depended on him as their shepherd, he wrote of his determination to depend on the Lord in the same way.
David wrote, “The LORD is “my” shepherd.” David’s heart was in submission to the Lord. He looked to the Lord as “his” shepherd and saw himself as the Lord’s lamb. Because of this relationship, David said, “I shall not want.”
“Shall” is a modal or auxiliary verb, which means it combines with a main verb and changes the tense of the verb. In this case, giving “want” a future time reference, so that it might be read as, “I do not plan to, intend to, expect to… be in want.” Why? “Because the Lord is my shepherd.”
I wonder. Do sheep worry? Does concern for tomorrow steal their joy today? Does anxiety for food and shelter rob them of sleep? No. I think not. They trust their shepherd. He is their source and guide. They know his voice and they follow him.
Have you decided to trust the Lord with all your wants and desires? Can you say with David, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want”?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we look to Your Son Jesus as our Great Shepherd. For He is the good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. He knows us and we know Him. We are listening for His voice this day. Lord speak. For your servants are listening. Lord lead, guide and direct and we will follow. In Jesus’ name, amen.