Read: Exodus 16:1-23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)
When I first memorized Psalm 23 as a child, I thought verse 1 meant “I shall not want my Shepherd, although he is mine.” I was confused! It really means that we lack nothing with our Shepherd. In his book A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller says that there is also a second emphasis—“the idea of being utterly contented in the Shepherd’s care.” Sheep are content because they trust the Shepherd, and he supplies their need. Are you content?
When we walk with our Shepherd, we have enough, we lack nothing. We see this in today’s reading. In the wilderness, when the Israelites needed food, God provided meat at night and manna in the morning. On the sixth day, he provided enough food for two days. However, the Israelites had to trust God’s care and provision.
The same is true for us. Jesus, our Shepherd said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). With Jesus, we walk with enough every day both physically and spiritually.
Walking with enough means trusting our Shepherd to supply our needs. Do you trust him? What are you lacking this year? Are you facing financial or health struggles? Do you feel like you are missing something? As the spiritual song says, “Give me Jesus!” He is all we need. May the Lord, our Shepherd, supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19)!
As you pray, walk with enough because you have Jesus.
About the Author
Nancy Boote, an ordained minister in the Reformed Church of America, lives in Holland, Michigan, with her husband.
