"I shall not want" those follow the words I explored yesterday, the continuation of verse 1 of Ps. 23.
This is going to be a tough one. I am such a "needy-wanty" person. I covet a lot of things, and I'm not always as content as I should be.
It was especially hard during my illness and in the recent weeks-
"God, I really want you to heal me."
"God, I really want you to fix this."
"God, I really want you to take better care of me."
"God, I really would like some kind of reward for being so faithful."
"God, I really would like some form of security from you."
"God, I really want to be done with this homework."
"God, I really want to go home soon, so can you arrange things to make that happen?"
I'm sure you have your wants too.
But Ps. 23:1 discourages that- it says, "I shall not want" (In some translations, "I lack nothing.")
I shall not want.
So easy to say, not so easy to do. Because we're in a society where it's "I want it, and I want it now!"
As a commercial for JG Wentworth company a few years ago had people screaming from windowsills,
"IT'S MY MONEY, AND I NEED IT NOW!"
(Click that link if you don't remember or know what I'm talking about)
Isn't that the way sometimes we are? Those "wants" I asked God for, they were more like demands...
"IT'S MY HEALTH, AND I NEED IT PERFECT NOW!"
"IT'S MY TIME, AND I NEED IT NOW!"
But, we can be comforted and calmed in every one of those circumstances.
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.
With a shepherd that guides, provides, and abides, we have it all.
The hymns and sermon and children's sermon gave such beautiful imagery of that today.
My Pastor showed pictures of a shepherd, and he had the children look at the faces of the sheep... They were all "happy" looking (if a sheep can look happy?)
And in the hymn, "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb", which I lead the congregation in singing today, it says,
I am Jesus' little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need, and well provides me....
Who so happy as I am,
even now the Shepherd's lamb...
Wants? Away with them. The shepherd provides what we need. That doesn't mean it aligns up perfectly with what we want. In fact, a lot of the time it doesn't. But do you see those hymn lyrics- EVER GLAD at heart, because he WELL PROVIDES....
Because God knows what we need, and God knows what He wants for us- and that is life and salvation. And He holds true to His promises.
What do I want ultimately? To be happy.
And I don't have to want that. Because I already am. Because I am safe in the arms of my shepherd.
You know those blessing lists I post frequently? They remind me, that "I shall not want." Because I have far more blessings than what I deserve.
Blessings:
-Safe travels from home
-Playing for the service today and playing so many good hymns!
-Receiving Holy Communion
-I am going to TRY tomorrow to walk without my boot! I think my foot is *nearly* healed!
-Peace and quiet and time to relax and study.
-Seeing many church members and fellowshipping with them
-Wings for dinner
On another note, please continue to pray- I'm still a bit nauseated/fatigued with this new Abilify medicine. Thank you! :)
I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting things. It's when you let these things get in the way of your devotion to God that it becomes a problem. I remember being taught "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Just a small difference.
ReplyDeleteYou're right- there's nothing wrong with wanting things, but when our happiness/contentment depends on having what we want, and also to the devotion of God, that's where the problem lies. Sorry for not making that clear.
ReplyDeleteWe sang a shepherdy kind of hymn yesterday. I think the first verse goes quite well with this post:
ReplyDeleteThe King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever
Yes! We sang that one too! It's a good one.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard it before! I loved the message of it, but thought the wording was a little toooo on the old-fashioned side for it to be all that clear.
ReplyDelete