Articles
I Shall Not Want
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalms 23:1)
The 23rd Psalm begins with a great affirmation of faith and commitment to the Lord. Being able to make this tremendous affirmation requires us to hear his voice and follow him, loving him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (John 10:27, 1 Peter 2:21, Mark 12:30). It requires that we be willing to give ourselves over to him as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2), letting him mold our thoughts, guide our lives and letting his word dwell in us richly. In order to truly claim the Lord as our shepherd we must place our entire being into his hands without reservations or limitations (2 Tim. 1:12, Gal. 2:20, Phil. 1:21, Phil. 3:13-14).
A couple of months ago I celebrated my 90th year living on planet earth. As I think about all the many things that have occurred over those years, I have come to the conclusion that life is one great adventure. We awake each morning to begin our daily routines not knowing what the day is going to bring forth. It may be success or it may be failure. We may experience great happiness and joy or it could be pain and heartache. It could be a calming peace that sweeps over us or our lives could be caught up in great waves of turmoil. We just don't know from one moment to the next what is going to take place. However, there is one thing I do know. So long as the Lord is our shepherd it really doesn't matter because through it all, the good, the not so good, he will guide us, protect us and lead us, onward and upward to a place of eternal bliss and happiness (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Just knowing that the Lord is our shepherd, knowing he loves us dearly and was willing to die for us should put a smile on our face and a bounce in our step (Phil.4:4, Revelation 14:13). One day this great adventure will end for all of us (Heb. 9:27). When that happens, we will leave what we have here and take with us only what we are on that journey into eternity (1 Tim. 6:6-7). If the Lord is our shepherd, that journey will hold no fear for us. The grave itself is not to be feared for you see we are not alone, not in this life nor the life to come (Heb. 13:5). Our Lord, our shepherd, will be with us every step of the way comforting us, protecting us, providing for us and guiding us. That's what a good shepherd does for his flock (John 10:11-15). Truly, Jesus the loving shepherd calls us to enter that fold of safety where we will find rest and a peace that passes understanding will be ours (Matt. 11:28-30). The Lord is my shepherd! Enter and stay in the way of truth and he will be your shepherd too.
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
