By J. Wilbur Chapman
You will notice David does not say, "I shall not need;" it is by far a better word he uses, "I shall not want." We often want many things we do not need; but, the more we come to understand that the Lord is our Shepherd, the more our wants and needs become identical, and we can say, as David said, "I shall not want." If this twenty-third psalm be the valley of our present-day experience, then we shall want for nothing he does not supply.
"I shall not want rest. 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.'
"I shall not want drink. 'He leadeth me beside the still waters.'
"I shall not want forgiveness. ' He restoreth my soul.'
"I shall not want guidance. 'He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.'
"I shall not want companionship. 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.'
"I shall not want comfort. 'Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.'
"I shall not want food. 'Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.'
"I shall not want joy. 'Thou hast anointed my head with oil.'
"I shall not want anything. 'My cup runneth over.'
"I shall not want anything in this life. ' Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.'
"I shall not want anything in eternity. For I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.'
"That is what David said he would find in the good Shepherd. And one day it occurred to me to see how this twenty-third psalm was fulfilled in Christ. This is what I found in Christ's own words --
"'I am the good Shepherd.'
"Thou shalt not want rest. 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'
"Thou shalt not want drink. 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.'
"Thou shalt not want forgiveness. 'The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.'
"Thou shalt not want guidance. 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life.'
"Thou shalt not want companionship. 'Lo, I am with you all the days.'
"Thou shalt not want comfort. 'The Father shall give you another Comforter.'
"Thou shalt not want food. 'I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall not hunger.'
"Thou shalt not want joy. 'That my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be filled full.'
"Thou shalt not want anything. 'If ye shall ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.'
"Thou shalt not want anything in this life. 'Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.'
"Thou shalt not want anything in eternity. 'I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there ye may be also.' "--Mrs. John R. Mott.
SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY.
1. When you pray this morning, plead God's promise. Be very definite about it. He had you in mind when he made it.
2. As you walk today, go in the consciousness that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."
3. If for a brief moment you fear that you are out of fellowship with him, get alone with him. Plead his promise for his own presence, peace, and power; and he will keep his word.
You shall not want.
