Outside of Jn. 3:16, Psalms 23 might be the most popular passage in the Bible.  Many have committed it to memory.  Preachers have used it to comfort those who aregoing through trials and tribulations or suffering from someterrible illness, or even dying.  For some the words of this Psalm, or portions of it, have been the last words they have ever heard or spoken.  Psalms 23 is indeed one of the most upliftingpassages in scripture, and it tells us volumes about the nature of ourGod.

Some of the most familiar words found in the Psalm are, “I shall not want.”  I realize that when David wrote those words, his primary point was probably that he would never lack what he needed because Yahweh was his Shepherd, but I believe the statement implies more than that.    “I shall not want” is not only an affirmation of God’s willingness to provide, but also David’s determination to be content.  Contentment is a real problem with people today, even those of us who are a part of the fold of God.   God gives us all we need; but still, sometimes we want.  Why do we want?  We want because we haven’t learned to be content.  In fact, we live in a society of discontentment.  Listen to these fitting words from Jason Lehman:

 It was spring. But it was summer I wanted – The warm days, & the great outdoors.

It was summer. But it was fall I wanted – The colorful leaves, & the cool, dry air.

It was fall. But it was winter I wanted – The beautiful snow, & the joy of the holiday season.

It was winter. But it was spring I wanted – The warmth, & the blossoming of nature.

I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted – The freedom, & the respect.

I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted – To be mature, & sophisticated.

I was middle-aged. But it was 20 I wanted – The youth, & the free spirit.

I was retired. But it was middle-age I wanted – The presence of mind, without limitations.

Then my life was over and I never got what I wanted.

 Some people are never satisfied.   Let’s say with David, “I shall not want,” not only because we know that God will provide for us in the future, but because we are content with His provisions right now.  Let’s be like the little girl who, when attempting to quote Psalm 23 in Bible class, slightly misquoted it.  She said, “The Lord is my shepherd; I’ve got all I want.”   Even though she misquoted it, I think she captured the essence of what David was saying.  If you have such a one as God in your life, that is, if the Lord is your Shepherd, then you can truly say, “I’ve got all I want.”  This is certainly a biblical disposition. 

 Phil 4:11

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.  ASV

          Don