I Shall Not Want

By Ron Bartanen     The twenty third Psalm is more than a funeral recitation! In beautiful poetic symbolism David thrills our hearts with this psalm of life. All of life finds its perfect fulfillment in the love of the Shepherd of the sheep. But, while David certainly sang this psalm from personal experience, the grand significance of the Shepherd Psalm awaited the personal appearance of the Good Shepherd. With love for His sheep He would give His life in their behalf and gather them into one fold (John 10:1-16). With what infinite care the beneficent Shepherd sees to the needs of each Sheep! The feeblest among the flock are known of “that great Shepherd of the sheep”, and they know Him and hear His voice (John 10:3, 4, 14).     “The LORD is my shepherd: I shall not want.” To the world, this may be great poetry, but the significance is lost. We live in a wanting society. “I want…” is quickly formed in a young child’s vocabulary. From cradle to cemetery a man’s history is composed of his wants and his efforts to fulfill these desires. He wants life’s physical necessities: security, love, recognition, appreciation, pleasure and as many luxuries as he can afford. Millions of dollars are spent annually to encourage us to want.  Every form of mass communication has been utilized to bombard us with word-signals designed to whet our obsession for getting things. The “have-nots” are convinced that the abundant life has passed them by unless they are able to get what others have, by whatever means they can. The “haves” are not content with what they have, but mortgage their future to obtain more.     But what of the sheep? They are to be the Shepherd’s “want-not” society, uninfluenced by the cravings of the godless culture in which they live (Rom. 12:2).  How tragic that this is so seldom the case. The Apostle Paul, who himself had fed upon the green pastures and learned therein “to be content” (Phil. 4:11) gives the assurance that “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (v. 19). Our “needs” may not be as numerous as we might imagine. Could we be content if they were narrowed down to the category of “food and raiment” (1 Tim. 6:8)? Would we equate as “great gain” godliness with these necessities (v. 6)? The world’s mad quest for things and more things is inappropriate for the sheep under the watchful, loving care of the Shepherd, who, having given Himself for us, would also “freely give us all things” (Rom. 8:38). His was no empty campaign promise when He assured us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).      Do not think, however, that the Good Shepherd sets a meager table for His sheep.  One spoke of himself “as having nothing and yet “possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10b).  He feeds us in lush pastures on higher hills. Would we learn that to truly feast in the kingdom of God will woo our hearts from the weedy pastures in the wilderness. A story is told of a poor country preacher who accepted an invitation to visit a friend in downtown New York City. One afternoon was spent in window shopping with his friend along the avenue, surveying the fashionable elegance on display.  Later, in his room, he was overheard praying, “Lord, I thank Thee I didn’t want a thing I saw!”     “The LORD is my shepherd”—His green pastures are sufficient.  “I shall not want” any other.

- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com