“The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 AMP

The opening verse of Psalm 23 King David reminds us of an important check and balance in our Christian walk. Take notice of the word “want.” The Hebrew word here means “to not have enough of what is needed; to cause to lack by withholding that which is needed.” Satan is the master deceiver when it comes to manipulating the flesh! Adam and Eve were fooled into believing that there was something missing and they wanted it! God had provided everything that they needed but the enemy hit them by creating a want …to be like Him! 

All sin comes from a want in our lives that Satan has convinced us that we cannot get by following God’s way. The tool though which Satan works to destroy us is our flesh. Physical appetites are some of the most powerful masters of our lives. Ask anyone who has walked through any addiction. The need was so strong that we had sacrificed anything and everything to satisfy the craving only to find out that it never really did! It isn’t that we needed whatever it was in our lives, but we allowed the activity to take the place of real peace and strength that we could only have in God! The Apostle Paul realized the power of his physical appetites and gave us this warning.

“But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].” 1 Corinthains 9:27 AMP

The Greek word Paul used here means “to discipline, bruise, execute, punish or take vengeance upon! Those are strong words; they are however the correct descriptive verbs reminding us of the seriousness of the issue! The writer of Hebrews strikes a hard blow with this statement.

“You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;” Hebrews 12:4 AMP

For many years we were slaves to our bodies, but Christ has now released us from the power of sin, but it is we who must take the battle to the flesh and stand our ground! We can start by understanding the difference between want and need! 

As a young boy, David spent most of his time as shepherd. He understood the job and knew he was responsible for the needs, safety, and guidance of the sheep in his care. This psalm opens with a picture of God as our shepherd. It is His responsibility to lead, provide and protect those who are His. If we are walking in that confidence, then we have defense against the feelings of want thereby having a defense against the lie of the enemy that something is missing! The next verse we read tells us of God’s intentions.

“He causes me to lie down in pastures of green grass; he guides me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2 ISV

I love this translation because the word generally used for this verse is makes, in actuality it is the word meaning “to cause something to happen.” God’s desire is that we find rest and peace in His presence so that we can navigate the stormy waters of this life and His promise is to lead us there if we so chose! Are you seeing God today as your shepherd? According to this verse we should then be in a state of satisfaction and not want. It doesn’t say that wants will not be present, it does however say that we can live in a place of satisfaction if our relationship is right with God! May God guide you today to a place of safety and contentment! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken