“…I shall not want”
Psalm 23:1
Quite often I have wants. I want answers, I want satisfaction, I want coffee, and the wants just keep on coming. When it benefits I want more of it, when it’s inconvenient I want less…and on and on it goes. Wants are about as abundant as the breath in our lungs, fittingly, wants also change about as often as we breathe as well.
This part of the verse intrigues me because at first glance it seems like our man David has arrived…he’s so tight with God that every little thing he’s ever wanted has been supplied. David is living the high life, plush as can be, no worries, no trouble, “He has no want”. As I take a closer look though, I see something else. It doesn’t say, “I have no want”…it says, “I shall not want”. The emphasis isn’t on the subject but the verb. It’s a choice taking place; and David has purposed not to want. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is human, I’m sure he has his desires and cravings just like the next guy, however, the decision he speaks of here is based on his relationship and understanding of the Lords heart. The Lord desires to bless and provide, totally and completely meeting our needs and David understands that.
This is often the point where people disagree.
They say, “No way, I’ve had needs that were never met.”
And I say in response, “If the needs weren’t met you wouldn’t be alive.”
The word want here is translated Chacer, or to lack, David was declaring his trust that God fully knew what it took to keep him sustained on every level according to God’s will and desire. That being the case, David in turn decided that if God is in fact “fully in control” and “fully tending to all the needs” then he has no lack or want because everything is taken care of.
The problem is not that needs aren’t met but that we don’t truly know what our needs and wants are. There are times when we are convinced that what we want is what we need when in fact those supposed needs are merely wants…and when they aren’t supplied we sulk, and whine, and pout. God knows exactly what our needs are and supplies them perfectly. If they aren’t met…then they weren’t a need. If it is a need and it hasn’t been met then we must be patient because our timing may not be when the answer needs to arrive, so the best decision is to choose as David did. The Lord is my Shepherd, He knows my needs, I’m just a sheep that doesn’t have a clue as to what I need and want, so I’ll just listen to Him and know that it’s going to be okay.
He’ll provide for all my needs and “I shall not want”.
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Comments ( 1 Comment )
Amen. How many times do I have to check myself when things don’t work out the way I’d like, but what do I know. His will is so much better than anything I could ever imagine!
Candice Quinones added these pithy words on
Aug 22 08 at
10:13 am
