Lacking Nothing from Our Shepherd

READ: PSALM 23; PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13; HEBREWS 13:5

Growing up, I participated in a program at my church where I learned Bible stories and memorized Scripture. I remember memorizing Psalm 23 when I was in second grade. However, the words of this psalm didn’t mean nearly as much to me as a seven-year-old as they do now.

Psalm 23 is an incredibly popular psalm. Verse 1 in particular is frequently quoted by pastors, speakers, and authors: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.” So, it’s probably not surprising that for most of my life, this psalm (especially verse 1) felt cliché and stale to me.

It wasn’t until college that God used this verse to open my eyes to a hard truth I had been desperately needing to see—and accept—for so long. In short, I had spent several years hoping to date a particular guy who simply wasn’t interested in dating me. However, even though I knew he wasn’t interested, I still spent countless hours thinking (and daydreaming) about him and the possibility of having a relationship with him. To say that I was dissatisfied with my situation would be an understatement. All I wanted was him. God had clearly shown me this guy wasn’t meant for me, but I ignored Him.

However, there was a moment during my college years when Psalm 23:1 seemed to come to life. God used it to gradually change my perspective on the guy I had been hoping to date. Some Bible translations say that we “lack nothing,” or that we won’t be “in want.” It felt like God was telling me, “You don’t need to want anything, Grace—including that guy—because I’ve given you everything you need.” I still struggled to accept the reality of my singleness, but I was encouraged by the comforting truth of Psalm 23:1. Jesus is our loving Shepherd, and when we know Him, we have everything we need. • Grace McCready

• It’s not bad to desire things—including romantic relationships—but these desires can sometimes turn into idols. And idols will never fulfill us. Only through Jesus can we experience real contentment, regardless of our circumstances. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we’ll live with Him forever in restored creation. And even now, He is with us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. And that’s what we truly need—God’s presence with us. If we got everything we ever wanted, but we didn’t have God with us, we would never experience true fulfillment. Consider spending some time with Jesus in prayer, asking Him to help you lay down any idols in your life and experience true contentment in Him.

• When you have questions about dating, who is a trusted Christian adult in your life you could talk to? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. Psalm 23:1 (CSB)