Lacking Nothing?

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." (Psalm 23:1)

I've this verse hundreds, possibly thousands of times. Psalm 23 is one of the first Scripture passages I memorized. I love the psalm.

But when I read it a week ago, I couldn't get past the last three words of the first verse, "I lack nothing." They wouldn't sit nicely for me.

Is that really true? Can I declare those words in my own life? What about the many Christians around the world whose lives are filled with persecution, poverty, violence, fear? Can any of us really say we lack nothing?

If we look at this psalm and this verse specifically from a physical perspective, I don't know if we could ever really say and completely mean the words. It seems to be the reality of life on this earth after the fall that we lack something at least some of the time. For many, it's the basics of life - safety, food, shelter, clean water. But, even for those of who have those things, there are times where we do lack.

But, maybe, David wasn't speaking of physical or earthly needs when he wrote this psalm. My Bible doesn't give details about when David penned the psalm, but David's life was not one of ease. He spent years on the run form Saul - knowing nothing of safety or comfort or regular food during that time.

Yet David chooses to begin this psalm with the words, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." I don't think David was speaking specifically of physical needs when he said this. Even in the midst of his running from Saul, David knew of God's provision and care; after all, David was still alive because of it.

And David had a relationship with God where He knew that God could and would meet his spiritual needs. God was always there and caring for David's needs.

When I begin to look beyond just earthly needs, the way I read this verse changes. If I start to think of it as God looking after my spiritual, relational, emotional needs it changes how I say those words. I'm not just looking at whether my earthly life is good. I'm looking at far more than that. It's about seeing God as enough in life, no matter what.

My walk with God has proved this to be true over and over again. God does look after me and He doesn't leave me wanting for anything when I'm allowing Him to care for me.

I get into trouble when I try to go it alone, but as long as I'm living as if the first part of Psalm 23:1 is true, the second part is true as well. If I'm allowing God to be my shepherd - the One who provides for me, protects me, cares for me - then I really do lack nothing.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." (Psalm 23:1)

How are you doing at allowing God to be your shepherd? At allowing Him to care for you, so oyu can declare that you lack nothing in your life?

He Delights in Us

    "He brought me out into a spacious place;
         He rescued me because He delighted in me."
                                                              (Psalm 18:19)


God delights in me and He delights in you!

Have you ever stopped and thought about that truth?

Have you ever allowed it to really sink in?

God delights in you! That is why He rescued you from your sin. That is why He listens to your prayers and answers you calls for help. He delights in you!

David wrote Psalm 18 when he was recued from his enemies by God. He was praising God for delivering him - for hearing his cries for help and rescuing him.

David had been running from his enemies. Hiding in caves. And now God has stepped in and brought an end to all of that. David's response is to turn to God in praise for all He has done. In the middle of that praise, David declares this incredible truth:

         "He brought me out into a spacious place;
                   He rescued me because He delighted in me."

Scripture is full of references to God's love for us. We are often reminded that God loves us the way a parents loves a child. 1 John 3:1 says,

          "See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
          that we should be called children of God. And that
          is what we are."

When I read that verse, I can't help but think about the response of parents to their children - of my sister and brother-in-law to their new daughter. As a parents watches a child they love do something and spends time with their child, they delight in them.

This is the picture that comes to mind as I read David's word in Psalm 18 about God rescuing him because God delighted in him.

And we follow the same God. The same God Who loves His children lavishly. The same God Who rescues us because He delights in us.

God delights in you!

Five Minute Friday: Finish

It's a phrase I've heard often. A statement made. A wish declared.

Finish well.

We talk about finishing well. On a project. With a job. In a ministry we've been serving in.

We use it to describe someone who lived life well right to the end.

Finish well.

We use the phrase often, but do we really mean the same thing every time? Does each person who uses it mean the same thing every time?

What does it mean to finish well?

I'm brought back to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Paul wrote the letter near the end of his life, and these were the words he had to say. Paul knew that he has finished well.

When Paul spoke of finishing well, he was talking about faithfully serving God to the end. Paul knew that he had followed God and served God the best he knew how to do.

When I think of finishing well, that's what I think of. Serving God. Living my life for Him completely. Following God the best I can.


Joining in with Five Minute Friday again this week. The word for this week is "finish."