psalm 23

Last night (or this morning) as I was lying in bed, Psalm 23:1 came to mind. I'm sure it's a verse you're all very familiar with - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Undoubtedly, psalm 23 is a beautiful psalm of praise and it always brings great encouragement. But last night/this morning, those last six words really tugged at me and made me ask myself, "Am I in want?" (The answer: Yes, I am, and terribly often.)

Firstly to clarify, to be "in want" isn't the same as "to have a desire" (which can be a good thing if from God); it refers to being deficient, or needing something. The Message translates this verse as "God, my Shepherd! I don't need a thing." (apart from the Shepherd la). Yet we always find ourselves needing things. Perhaps not just material things, but consider these: recognition/approval, opportunities, civil treatment, satisfactory grades (even ones we "deserve"), human love?

Many of us are so blessed (good friends, good education, etc.) that sometimes we don't realize we depend on these things until they are taken from us and we find ourselves dissatisfied, disgruntled and feeling wronged (as if we had a right to them). But that simply doesn't make sense- if the Lord is our shepherd, we have no reason at all to be in want! If God is our All in All, what deficiency can we complain of? What a wonderful thought.

So the next time you find yourself "needing" something, I encourage you to remember this verse, consider that God knows our needs far better than we know our own, will meet them far better than we can think of (see Philippians 4:19) and thank Him for His gracious provision in our lives :)

Also, have a wonderful September holiday! :D I pray that it will be an opportunity to catch up on sleep, with people and your work. Five (free-er) days can be a great chance to spend more time immersing yourself in God's word :)

In love,
rachelmiao