WHEN GOD GUIDES, GOD PROVIDES

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1

Our society emphasizes independence and self-sufficiency.  Most believe the myth that the future is in our hands.  The reality is that God is in control.  That fact bothers many, but it is a comfort to God's people.

King David may have been king of Israel, but he never forgot his humble roots.  Early in life, he served as a shepherd, tending his father's flocks.  As he wrote Psalm 23, he probably drew upon his intimate knowledge of shepherding as he reflected upon the Lord's goodness. 

There is much that we learn about the Lord from David's short psalm.  David was inspired to write powerful descriptions of our Lord's care for His people.  For many of us, the twenty-third psalm is a chapter that we memorized when we were young.  We hear it read at funerals.  We see it inscribed in artwork.  Yet the message of the psalm still comforts us.

The very first verse of Psalm 23 teaches us a valuable lesson:  When God guides, He provides.  David wrote, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Notice first that David referred to the Lord as "my shepherd."  David knew that God was a personal shepherd to him.  God was personally leading and helping him.  Without a good shepherd, sheep are doomed.  Sheep are dumb animals.  They get themselves in dangerous situations without realizing it.  They are helpless when danger arises. 

The Bible repeatedly refers to us as sheep.  Yes, we are dumb.  Despite all the education we've received, we are spiritually dumb.  We are helpless.  We need a shepherd.  Those who feel that they are self-sufficient are only fooling themselves.  They are wandering out on a ledge without realizing their peril. 

A shepherd is responsible to guide and protect the sheep entrusted to him.  The Father has entrusted His people to the care of His dear Son.  Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd, One who cares enough to sacrifice everything for the sake of His sheep.  For David, the Lord was a personal shepherd.  Is He your shepherd?

Finally, David wrote, "I shall not want."  In other words, I'll never be in real need.  As Americans, we tend to confuse our wants with our needs.  God will provide for the needs of His children.  He'll provide for our needs, not our greed. 

The Good Shepherd provides for His sheep.  He takes care of them.  He supplies for their every need.  In Psalm 37:15, David wrote, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."  Over a lifetime, David observed God's dealings with His people and concluded that truly, the Lord provides.  When God guides, He provides.   

Two of the basic needs of life are the need for protection and the need for provisions.  The Lord takes care of them both for us.  Yes, we are responsible for our decisions, but as we follow the Good Shepherd, it is good to know that He is watching out for us.

As I grow older, I realize more and more my need for such a shepherd.  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

If the Lord is your shepherd, what more could you want?