What comes to mind when you see the words “The Lord is my shepherd?” Many adults remember memorizing this Psalm when they were little. I’ve heard it said that if Psalm 23 were a song, it would be number one on the charts. Dallas Willard writes, “These words are a sentiment carved on tombstones more often than a reality written in our lives.”
It is tragic that many people go through life without coming under God’s direction and can testify, “The Lord IS my shepherd.” What would it look like to be like David, the writer of the Psalm, and say with confidence, “The Lord IS my shepherd?”
Psalm 23 describes the life that is available to anyone who will allow God to be their Shepherd. When we know that the Lord is our Shepherd, we come to realize we’re in the care of someone else. We’re not the ones in charge. We are aware and enjoying the abundance and provisions of God even when circumstances don’t go our way. Dallas Willard writes, “A life without lack is a life in which one is completely satisfied and sustained, no matter what happens. No matter what happens! How do we gain a deeper understanding?
First and foremost, we must have an accurate view of God and who He is.
Phillip Keller writes, “Our view of Him is often too small, too cramped, too provincial, too human.” Have you considered that your view of God may be too small? If we don’t understand God’s true character, we will never gain the confidence to believe He is completely sufficient to provide all we need.
How does one lack nothing? Well, first, let’s understand that there is absolutely nothing that God lacks. When we understand this, we can grasp a little more that the Lord is our Shepherd because He has everything we need!
With God as our Shepherd, we can live without any kind of fear. Consider that sheep do not rest much because of the anxiety of attack. But the shepherd’s presence with the sheep can help them not only live without fear but lie down in green pastures. Your Shepherd cares for you. Your Shepherd has your back. Your shepherd guides you. Your Shepherd will never let you go. Your Shepherd loves you completely.
I don’t know about you, but there are so many times when I feel insufficient and weak. I lack in so many areas of my life! However, when I live like the Lord is my Shepherd, I get what it means to say “I lack nothing” even when there are things I lack!
Dallas Willard writes, “The life without lack is simply a matter of having one’s mind fully and constantly fixed upon God as he is, confident that He will provide everything that we need.” (page 48, Life Without Lack, Dallas Willard) Oh, may we experience this type of life!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.