Sufficient Shepherd

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com 

Psalm 23:1–3a: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. 

God shepherds all of his people.  If you are his, you are under his care, and you do not get lost in the fold.  He sees you, individually and personally.  Whether you feel you are the best or the worst among us, for all who have trusted in Christ, he is your faithful and sufficient Shepherd. 

Just look at the individuality of this Psalm.  This Psalm doesn’t just address God’s community of people (i.e. his flock), but each individual sheep.  He cares and provides uniquely for each of them.

In this particular part of the Psalm, notice that you do not lack and you shall not want, not because you have all that is necessary for physical life, or all that enhances pleasure, but because you have him.  He is satisfying.  He is sufficient.  And for the submissive sheep, he brings you to places of blessing.  He brings you to pastures of plenty and brings rest to your soul.

C. H. Spurgeon wrote, “I may not possess all that I wish for, but ‘I shall not want.’  Others, far wealthier and wiser than I, may want, but ‘I shall not.’ …  I have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’  The wicked always want, but the righteous never; a sinner’s heart is far from satisfaction, but a gracious spirit dwells in the palace of content” (The Treasury of David, 354).

For David, and for us, contentment is a matter of perspective.  See, David’s contentment was in being numbered among God’s flock, not in the number of his own possessions. 

God provides more fully, more completely, and more sufficiently than anything or anyone else.  He provides all that we need, because he is our greatest need.

God provides that which is necessary in you accomplishing his plan. 

When you follow God as the good Shepherd adhering to his leadership, his provision for the purpose of your lives will never lack, but will always be sufficient.

Psalm 23:1–3a: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. 

www.newlineministries.com