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“… I shall not be in want” (Psalm 23:1b).
Take pause; look around at your current space. What are your basic surroundings — physical and material? Regardless of the circumstances, and whether you want to be where you are presently, do these surroundings give you a feeling of gratitude? In these existing surroundings, and far beyond, we ought to feel assured and secure that our Creator, our Lord and Good Shepherd, knows what we need just when we need it — always, and in every moment, down to our every breath.
However, like the restless, discontented, fence-crawling sheep that we can be, do we often find ourselves questioning if the grass could be greener on the other side of the fence, wondering if there is something more … something better?
We are reminded throughout the underrated Book of Numbers how God continuously provided for the Israelites during their time in the wilderness, yet they still complained. Even after displaying His glorious presence and miraculous signs, it was not enough; they wanted more. God gave them what they thought they wanted upon their request for meat, as they grew tired of manna. God provided meat, and lots of it (Numbers 11)! It was still not good enough as they carried on with their groans and complaints, but God continued to provide. He displayed what more was to come as He sent spies to scope out the land of Canaan — the land He promised to give them, flowing with milk and honey. Upon the spies’ return, they reported that yes, indeed, it was a bountiful country, a land flowing with milk and honey! They even provided evidence of the fruit it produced. Yet the focus quickly turned to a bad report of giants and other enemies who dwelled among the land, instilling fear and discouragement amid the Israelites. Due to human error, as so often occurs, God’s good plans were thwarted and obstructed, cutting the people off from the better plans He had for them. Although they became slightly remorseful, they still had to suffer the consequences of their sin — including the generations to come — paying for the effects of their ancestors' unfaithfulness (Numbers 13-14).
Intended or not, in our own individual journeys, we are the same as the Israelites. We frequently find ourselves in the same sort of dilemma: getting in our own way, but most significantly in God’s way, frustrating His plans for the sake of wanting more, and leading us to damaging and selfish desires. We not only harm and inhibit ourselves in the process, but we can harm and inhibit others from God’s true fulfillment. Whether in the midst of happiness or hardship, may we rest assured that we have all that we need to become who our Good Shepherd made us to be. Are we willing to accept His offer?
As we read through and reflect on the second part of the first verse of Psalm 23, we are reminded that this verse is not referring to the material or basic physical necessities of life — the things that so easily become our masters. Rather, the focus is on the Master Himself, our Good Shepherd, our Protector, and Guide. The One who provides all of the basics and so much more: His only Son, so that we can experience God’s glorious gifts of eternal life, grace, mercy, faith, and His sacraments. God’s goodness is good enough — our true source of peace and contentment. What more do we need?
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