I shall not want

    Psalm 23:1-2
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.” NKJV

    The Lord is my shepherd. The thing that sticks out to me most is that Kind David use to be a shepherd. He knew at a young age how to watch over sheep. He knew how to tend their every need. He led them to green pastures where they could rest and eat, and to still waters where they could drink without fear or apprehension of the crashing waves.
    He provided for them everything they needed: rest, water, and food to eat. In the same way, David said, the Lord provides for us, we just have to be sure we do not wander from His presence.
    “I shall not want.” This, to me, sounds like a statement of determination. The NIV puts it as “I shall not be in want.” That makes it sound as if we will never desire anything else ever again. And while that is true on some level, God will not take away the day to day temptations of the evil one until we meet Him in heaven.
    “I shall” is different than “I will” is the sense that “shall” implies more of a choice and a constant conviction to not go there.
    My application is this:
    I shall not want. I shall not desire my old life, I shall not dwell in future dreams. I shall not daydream of things I don’t have nor try in my own strength to get things I don’t need. I shall desire a closer relationship with my God and remember that He is all I need.