I shall not want.

Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

They say that familiarity breeds contempt, and I hate to admit that it has happened to me, at least to a certain point. It seems that the 23rd Psalm is one of the most beloved Bible verses of all time. It is found on bookmarks, cards, church bulletins, wall hangings, and so on. I must admit that it got to a point where I would read this verse, and not really get much from it. It was too "familiar" to me and I took it for granted.

It is also true that difficult circumstances can get our minds and attentions back to where they belong, on God and His faithfulness. That is what has happened to me. Over the last two years with all that has been happening in the world, I found myself growing stressed with many things. It was covid and the lockdowns. Lack of certain food items in stores, then prices rising, and the final straw seemed to be the recent surge in fuel prices. I was panicky and worried, wondering how we as a family could make it, as things seemed to be spiraling out of control.

My mind was brought back to this Psalm and its opening phrase, Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. I began to think on this. Just as a rancher who raises sheep takes good care for them, providing food, water, and shelter, how much more does the living God care for us? The God who created this world and the things in it, who created us and cares for us, is perfectly able to provide our needs as well.  As I pondered this Psalm, I realized that the sheep who are well cared for by their shepherds lack nothing, so too, we who are cared for by our heavenly Father do not lack anything either. So why worry and stress about the economy? God is fully willing and able to meet our needs, and we too will not want. 

Peace.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in Jehovah forever; for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:3-4

     We have a precious promise from God, that if we set our minds upon Him in faith, we will be kept in perfect peace. His word assures us that God is an everlasting rock, a place of safety for all those who seek shelter in Him from the storms of life. This peace however, will only fill our hearts and minds as we trust Him. 

     We often come to God with our cares and burdens, but like Peter walking on the water, we take our eyes off of Christ, and instead, we focus on our circumstance and begin to sink. This verse makes the point that we must keep our focus on Christ and not our problems if we would have peace. The Apostle Paul writes, 

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

     As the hymn states, "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer." 

     This peace is a peace that goes beyond our understanding. How can we be filled with a calm, with peace, when things seem to be falling apart all around us? The answer is found in God our rock, and by putting our confidence in Him.

Rest For the Weary.

     Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
                              Matthew 11: 28-30

     We can become caught up in the cares and anxieties of this life, or become entangled with the things of this world; the vanities of life (Matt 6:31-32; 1 John 2:15-16).
     We have a promise from the Lord Jesus. We can find rest for our weary souls if we lay it all down and take up His yoke.
     Are your burdens too heavy to bear? Give them to Jesus.