A few weeks ago, I was rushing around our house, carrying out my usual mom tasks. I was getting the laundry going, but was also tripping on toys while trying to pick up toys. It was in the middle of this hurried multi-tasking that one of my daughters asked, “Mom, what do you need?” In a joking manner, I responded, “I need a chef, a masseuse, a driver, a personal organizer…” Before I could finish my list, Elly interjected, “Mom, if you needed all of that, God would give it to you.” My eleven-year-old theologian was correct. Whatever I have needed throughout my forty plus years on earth, God has been faithful to supply.
Some of you reading this are familiar with Psalm 23. It begins with, “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need” (Ps. 23:1 NLT). Other translations say, “I lack nothing” (NIV) or “I shall not want” (ESV). According to my Hebrew dictionary, “shall not want” means, “to deprive, have too little, to cut short.”[1] With Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we will never have too little. His guidance and provision will not be cut short. He will faithfully lead us to times of quiet rest, but He will also faithfully protect us when our journey is dark or daunting. I’m reminding you, but I’m also reminding myself as I type this, that we are never alone.
Since I have walked through a valley recently, I have found that when life gets challenging, what I need most is not something, but someone. When circumstances are disheartening and the trials of life are overwhelming, often my greatest need is a reminder that I’m not alone. I need reassurance that God sees me right where I am. I need to recall that I am following Someone who is sovereign, loving, and knows where we’re headed. That Someone is our Good Shepherd.
The apostle Paul agreed with David that God provides for our needs. In a Roman prison, Paul wrote, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). To be clear, sometimes God meets our needs through clear reminders of His presence. At other times, He may do so by providing just the necessary thing (the babysitter, the vacation) in addition to the promise of His presence.
When I feel like I’m lacking something that I “need,” but I sense God has not provided it, it’s probably time to reevaluate my needs. Elly was right. That day I did not “need” a full-time staff to help me with my to-do list, otherwise God would have given that to us. God’s words spoken through Elly renewed my motivation for the duties ahead and reminded me that my Shepherd was with me at that moment in our laundry room. And He is with you no matter where you are reading this post.
Whatever tasks or travels you have on your list today or in the weeks to come, remember that your Good Shepherd is with you. He will guide you, protect you, equip you, and provide for you all you need on your journey through life. His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. I’m sure that includes today!
Hallelujah what a Savior and hallelujah what a Shepherd.
Since the year is 2023, someone recently encouraged me to memorize Psalm 23. Do you want to join Elly and I in our Scripture memory? If so, let me know in the comments.
Psalm 23 (NLT)
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
[1] Wilhelm Gesenius and Samuel Prideaux Tregelles, Gesenius’ Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament Scriptures (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2003), 295.
