“The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.”

Psalm 23

Most professing believers in Jesus Christ can quote from memory the words of Psalm 23. We find great comfort in the words of David as he ponders these majestic thoughts of his personal confidence in God. Quite often this beloved Psalm is read at the memorial service for a loved one who has passed from this life into the eternal realm. Comforting words, indeed.

But, do we really believe these comforting words? Let’s take a few minutes to walk through Psalm 23, striving to come to grips with our belief in the words.

First, let’s think about what David says concerning trust. He makes the assertion, “I lack nothing.” Other translations word this phrase a little differently. A few examples will suffice to show this distinction. “I shall not want” (KJV, NASV); “There is nothing I lack” (HCSB); “I have what I need” (CSB); “I will never be in need” (CEV). There are other variations, but these show how varied the interpretations are. The words are different, but the meaning remains the same: God, the Shepherd, meets all needs in the lives of His sheep.

So, is this real in your life? Are you completely satisfied knowing that God’s provision for you will meet all your needs? Are you confident that you will never lack anything of necessity for your well-being? Or do you complain that you don’t have as much as someone else? Or that you don’t have everything you want?

Oh, just a second. Did I just change the subject? Did I make the transition from needs to wants? Well, yes, I did. And that is where the rub is, would you agree? We oftentimes confuse our needs with our wants. I may have more than enough food in the pantry to keep me nourished for weeks to come, but I may stand there staring at all that food wishing I had something else. I have what I need, but not necessarily what I want. If I understand this phrase correctly, then David had reached the conclusion that his Shepherd would never allow him to lack anything he needed, not everything he wanted. That is trust.

But let’s move on. David not only speaks of his trust in the provision supplied by his Shepherd, but also of his trust in the peace He gives. He makes the statement that his Shepherd causes him to lie down in fields of green grass by streams of peaceful water. This Shepherd really knows the needs of His sheep, and goes to extreme measures to ensure those needs are met.

Let’s face it: there is not much true peace in the world right now. We are still in the throes of the Covid-19 crisis, and now our nation is being torn apart by rioting in the streets of cities across the country. There is much that will quickly rob us of peace as we watch the news broadcasts, showing graphic images of city streets that look more like war zones than civilized America.

And let’s not overlook the imagery David presents of his personal dilemma in Psalm 23. We don’t know the exact circumstances of his present state of affairs as he penned these words, but it is obvious that he felt his life was threatened, even to the point of the possibility of his own impending death. And yet, he is at perfect peace, trusting that his Shepherd would care for him, provide his every need, and give him a settled peace in the midst of his looming storm.

And finally, one more observation from David’s words. He says, “You treat me to a feast while my enemies watch. You honor me as Your guest, and You fill my cup until it overflows.” Because of his trust in his Shepherd, his confidence in his Shepherd, and his peaceful rest in his Shepherd, David could rest assured that his enemies would not, could not, prevail. His Shepherd would care for him, forever.

Can you honestly, sincerely, truthfully, say with David, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I will never be in need; I will never lack; I will have everything I need”? Or, do you say the words, and then grumble because you don’t have everything you want; you say the words, and then complain about the doctor’s diagnosis; you say the words, and then worry about tomorrow; you say the words, and then succumb to your fears.

If we say the words, then let’s mean what we say. The Lord is MY Shepherd. I will trust Him to supply, to strengthen, to sustain, to walk along beside me, even when life is at its worst, even when I don’t have everything I want, even when the shadow of death clouds out the light. I will trust Him.

That commitment will bring about a settled satisfaction, a complete contentment, as we rest securely in the arms of our caring Shepherd. Then, we can say with the Apostle Paul:

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:11-13

May it be so with each of us, and with all of us. He is our Shepherd. He cares for us and He can be trusted.