All Things Are Satisfied

Psalm 23 is a great Psalm of comfort. That is why it is so often quoted at funerals. But it is too great to be left only for times of sorrow. That is why I want to look at Psalm 23 throughout this month.

The overall theme is stated in verse 1: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” With the Lord as your shepherd all things are satisfied. With the Lord as your shepherd you will not be in want because you lack nothing. When the Lord is your shepherd even the things that seem to be lacking are insignificant compared to the peace God gives you in your heart. Knowing God is there to watch over you and provide for your needs makes all things easier to bear. It gives you a peace that all things are satisfied, all needs are or will be met in God’s perfect timing.

If “the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” If you are in want, then the Lord is not your shepherd. If your life is empty and filled with loneliness and despair, then the Lord is not your shepherd. If anyone or anything other than Jesus is your shepherd, your life will never be fully satisfied. When something such as your vocation or education is your shepherd, you will be left frustrated, restless, and even in despair. When another person is your shepherd, you will be disappointed and left empty. But if the Lord is your shepherd, David says, you shall not want.

When the Lord is not your shepherd, if someone or something else holds that position in your life, you may feel like God is distant. Let me tell you, if God is distant, He is not the one who moved; you are. Isaiah says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Isaiah concludes that same verse with these words: “And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Jesus died to take away our sin. Jesus died to become our Good Shepherd. When we admit our need of a saving Shepherd we discover the truth of what David is saying. We shall not want.

Psalm 23:2-3a tells how the Good Shepherd meets our needs. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.” He meets our basic need of nourishment within. Sheep need grass and water. Here is a picture of sheep lying in a grassy meadow, their hunger satisfied, as well as their thirst by the still waters. Sheep do not like running water. They prefer a quiet pool. So the good shepherd leads them to grassy meadows with quiet waters where they can rest and feed and drink.

In much the same way, God restores the inner man through His Word. Feed upon the Word of God and you will see Jesus. Draw upon Him and you will be satisfied. Trust Him and your soul will be restored. When you come to know Him, believe what He says and act on His Word, and you will soon discover His fullness on the inside. Your needs are met. All things are satisfied. Amen.