March 29
The Continual Burnt Offering" T he Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Someone has said, “Psalms 23 is the best loved of all the Psalms and it is the one least believed!” Do we really believe it? We all love it; do we not? Its beautiful imagery, its wonderful idyllic poetry, its expressions of confidence in Jehovah, our great Shepherd, appeal to every discriminating and Spirit-taught mind. But do we know the blessedness of resting upon its implied promises? When out of employment, laid aside by illness, or facing bereavement, are we able to say from the heart, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want”? Not want what? Another Psalm answers, “Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (Psalms 34:10). And again, “There is no want to those who fear him” (Psalms 34:9). Why then should the child of God ever be troubled and distressed by thoughts of future trials? God is over all and He is undertaking for us.
Since the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want:
Rest—“He maketh me to lie down.”
Refreshment—“He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Restoration—“He restoreth my soul.”
Guidance—“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousnes.”
Confidence—“I will fear no evil.”
Companionship—“Thou art with me.”
Comfort—“Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Provision—“Thou preparest a table.”
Unction—“Thou anointest my head.”
Satisfaction—“My cup runneth over.”
Protection—“Goodness and mercy shall follow me.”
A Home at last—“I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”