06212025 I Shall Not Want

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our Providing Shepherd. After declaring the LORD to be his Shepherd in Psalm 23, David then states, “I shall not want.”

Of course, “want” refers not to desire, but to lack or need. David states that (because God is his Shepherd) he will not lack what he needs. He is confident that God will provide for him in every area. This was not a one-time statement by David. Rather, it was an anchor that he consistently believed and repeatedly stated.

A similar statement is found in Ps. 34:9. “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.” Although God does, in His general provision, meet the needs of all creatures, He makes a special commitment to His children. God particularly meets the needs of those who follow Him as their Shepherd or, as it is stated in this verse, those who fear Him. For these people, there is no lack.

Only God is capable of such provision. It is a big enough challenge just trying to provide for one’s own family. Imagine any other person trying to supply for an entire village or region or country, let alone the entire world. Mankind is dependent on God for its supplies, and God’s storehouses are big enough. He opens His hand and gives what is needed. “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing” (Ps. 145:15-16).

There are reasons why God supplies for His children. One reason is in response to their cries for help. God is not unconcerned or unresponsive when His children have needs, but He listens and answers. “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill” (Ps. 3:4). God also supplies because of His character. God loves His children, and He delights in providing for them. “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant’” (Ps. 35:27).

When we say that God’s sheep do not lack, what does His supply include? Certainly, David does not enumerate every aspect, but it is clear that his thoughts go beyond mere physical needs. God does supply the physical, and it’s not just gruel; it’s good! “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:5). This includes physical strength in addition to the more practical provision.

God often supplies abundantly. This next verse implies a long-term provision as well as ministering to the whole person. “His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth” (Ps. 25:13). Of course, the entire range of provisions is more than just a checklist to God. God gives and supplies because He loves and cares. When He wraps His children in the blanket of His care, it is certain that their needs will be met. “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy [lovingkindness] shall compass him about” (Ps. 32:10).

One of the things I love best about this study is seeing the truth of Psalm 23 evidenced in the life and testimony of David. If indeed he wrote the psalm in his later years, these are some of the evidences he might have been remembering.

When the Amalekites raided Ziklag, they burned the city, captured the women and children, and carried off the spoils. God led David and his men to victory over the marauding Amalekites, and this is the outcome. “And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all” (I Sam. 30:19).

What about when David was anointed as king? “And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron” (II Sam. 2:3). David and his men had been on the run for seven to eight years, and God now provided by giving them homes and cities in which their households could dwell. Even before God blessed them with homes in Hebron, however, He had met their needs for the previous seven to eight years. David started with 400 men, a number that increased to at least 600. And God provided.

In the Psalms, David bears testimony to God’s provision. “LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong” (Ps. 30:7). David is not referring to a meager existence, in which he was barely scraping by. No, God made David’s position strong and well-established.

Perhaps the most powerful testimony is this final verse. See, David could have proclaimed God’s provision after a single outstanding incident or for just a stage of his life. But here’s where the power of his testimony lies. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Ps. 37:25). David never had reason to change his mind about God’s provision. He never said, “Ooops! I spoke too soon. I never should have written that psalm, because now I see it isn’t true.” No, no, no! He got to the end of his life more convinced than ever! Does the Shepherd provide for the needs of His sheep? Yes, faithfully. From beginning to end. Because the LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

May our good Shepherd supply every need that you currently have, giving you all that you need for all that you face. His storehouses are big enough, His heart is loving enough, and His hand is stretched out. He is faithful!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA