I Shall Not Want

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," Psalm 23:1a

I was stuck on the words "I shall not want". Does it mean "I shall not be left wanting or lacking in any need" or does it mean "I will stop wanting", I asked myself. 

I began to consider other Scripture verses like Lamentations 3:24 (“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”) John 6 (Jesus feeds the 5,000), and Matthew 6:25-34 ("Consider the lilies.... "). 

And I began to wonder... could it be that "I shall not want" means all of it? Maybe it is both a statement of thankfulness for having all that is needed to nourish and grow, and maybe, just maybe, it is also a surrender.

A realization and a promise, to desire nothing more than the Shepherd who provides so well. A submission to finding satisfaction in the Lord alone. Being content with the Lord's leading, knowing He has the only soul-restoring power and everlasting water.

And I began to pray, "Lord, help me not want anything besides You."

Like the wildflowers grow with full reliance on the Lord, who provides the dirt, the water, and the sun for their growth, I want to grow and shine because I rely wholly on the Lord, and desire nothing except for Him.

This 8x10" Gallery Wrapped floral painting was done with oil paints and features white cosmos flowers and a blueish background. This piece comes in a custom handmade vintage wood frame, ready to hang on your wall.