Seventh Day: "I shall not WANT."
You will notice David does not say, "I shall not need;" it
is by far a better word he uses, "I shall not want." We
often want many things we do not need; but, the more we come to understand
that the Lord is our Shepherd, the more our wants and needs become
identical, and we can say, as David said, "I shall not want." If
this twenty-third psalm be the valley of our present-day experience,
then we shall want for nothing he does not supply.
"I shall not want rest. 'He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.'
"I shall not want drink. 'He leadeth me beside the still waters.'
"I shall not want forgiveness. 'He restoreth my soul.'
"I shall not want guidance. 'He guideth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.'
"I shall not want companionship. 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.'
"I shall not want comfort. 'Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.'
"I shall not want food. 'Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies.'
"I shall not want joy. 'Thou hast anointed my head with oil.'
"I shall not want anything. 'My cup runneth over.'
"I shall not want anything in this life. 'Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life.'
"I shall not want anything in eternity. For 'I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.'
"That is what David said he would find in the good Shepherd. And one day it occurred to me to see how this twenty-third psalm was fulfilled in Christ. This is what I found in Christ's own words—
"'I am the good Shepherd.'
"Thou shalt not want rest. 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' (Matt. 11:28)
"Thou shalt not want drink. 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me
and drink.' (John 7:37)
"Thou shalt not want forgiveness. 'The Son of man hath power on earth
to forgive sins.' (Matt. 9:6)
"Thou shalt not want guidance. 'I am the way, the truth, and the
life.' (John 14:6)
"Thou shalt not want companionship. 'Lo, I am with you alway.' (Matt.
28:20)
"Thou shalt not want comfort. 'The Father...shall give you another
Comforter.' (John 14:16)
"Thou shalt not want food. 'I am the bread of life: he that cometh to
me shall never hunger.' (John 6:35)
"Thou shalt not want joy. 'That my joy might remain in you, and that
your joy might be full.' (John 15:11)
"Thou shalt not want anything. 'Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in
my name, he will give it you.' (John 16:23)
"Thou shalt not want anything in this life. 'Seek ye first the kingdom
of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.' (Matt.
6:33)
"Thou shalt not want anything in eternity. 'I go to prepare a place
for you...that where I am, there ye may be also.'" (John 14:2-3) —Mrs.
John R. Mott.
Suggestions for To-day.
1. When you pray this morning, plead God's promise. Be very definite
about it. He had you in mind when he made it.
2. As you walk to-day, go in the consciousness that "no good
thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psalm
84:11).
3. If for a brief moment you fear that you are out of fellowship
with Him, get alone with Him. Plead His promise for His own presence,
peace, and power; and He will keep his word.
You shall not want.
From The Secret of a Happy Day: Quiet Hour Meditations by J. Wilbur Chapman. Boston: United Society of Christian Endeavor, ©1899.
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