Psalms 23:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Today’s article is inspired by chapter 2 of the book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by W. Phillip Keller.
When David wrote, “I shall not want,” what did he mean? First of all, he did not mean the absence of physical poverty and exemption from life’s pain. David certainly had his share of adversity. Besides, physical prosperity does not produce spiritual fulfillment. Read the 23rd Psalm and look at all the loving Shepherd, God, does for you as His sheep. David is saying that he lacks for nothing under the Shepherd’s care. He also makes it clear that as a contented sheep, he is not looking at other pastures for satisfaction.
There are two stories Keller tells in this chapter that stuck with me. One is of the neglected flock in the field adjacent to his. The neighbor shepherd was severely negligent in his care, and you could see it in the sheep. These sick, hungry and pathetic sheep were huddled by the fence longingly gazing into Keller’s pasture. Because of the lack of care of the shepherd, the sheep were “in want.” This story was showing that the sheep who are well managed are truly not in want like David said.
The second story, however, looks at the other side of the fence. Inside the well-maintained pasture of the loving shepherd, there was a wandering ewe. This ewe was beautiful, healthy and bore excellent lambs. Keller noted how she was constantly finding an exit. She was not content, even under a shepherd, flock and pasture that provided everything she needed and more. This sheep taught other sheep her ways of wandering. Eventually Keller had to make a decision for the whole flock, and he put her down. Even in the green pastures of the Good Shepherd, some sheep will wander. As God’s sheep, we grow into contentment to realize that there is nothing outside of that flock and pasture that will fulfill us. We are truly contented in the Shepherd’s flock.
Am I contented under His care? Or am I a wandering sheep that is constantly looking for fulfillment outside of His pasture and flock? Is there anything we lack as sheep in Jesus’ pasture?