You Shall Not Want ~ Psalm 23 ~ Fourth Sunday after Easter

Last May, I was shopping for a new laptop computer.  I was quite struck by the names the computer companies gave the various models: one of the more expensive models was the Envy.  It was branded as cutting-edge technology, with all the bells and whistles.  One of the least expensive models was called the Aspire; which I’m assuming is the marketer’s way of telling potential buyers “come on, you should want something more than this.”  I settled on a Think Pad, which I assume tells everyone that I think on occasion.  You can ask my wife if that’s true or not.

Whether we realize it or not, we are culturally conditioned to be discontent with our lives and constantly wanting more.  The lie we’re constantly told is that happiness comes only by getting everything you want.

So what strikes us as most outrageous: that money buys happiness?  Or the words of Psalm 23: “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”   Which of these are you most likely to believe and then live by?

I don’t know about you, but I cannot imagine life without some kind of want.  Now I doubt anyone here wouldn’t enjoy material wealth.  But there is still so much to want that money can’t buy: Health.  Good relationships.  A steady job that pays the bills and gives you a shot at the American dream.  How about peace on earth…  Communities without crime or violence.  Economic and political stability.  A life with no hurts, and no worries…  Most, if not all of us, know the want of at least one of these…

There’s much to want spiritually: a faith like Jesus; the ability to hand over all your cares to God and never worry…   How about the strength to face any obstacle?  The peace that passes understanding…

Trouble is, whenever there is a want, it can become a great obstacle to our faith.  Want creates despair, which is spiritually toxic.  Despair burdens you with guilt for all your bad choices.  It tempts you to despise your life, because others people are happy and healthy and prosperous and you aren’t.  It gives you shame for not being as successful at work or at home as others we know.  It makes you feel as though God has failed you...  One want can be enough to blind us to the reality of everything good that God has given and that God has created us to do. 

But Psalm 23 does not describe some pie-in-the-sky existence that all will seek, but few will find…  It is God’s promise that Jesus is your Shepherd, who loves and cares for you in every need and want. 

It bears keeping in mind that the life in Shepherd’s fold is no fairy tale.  Psalm 23 affirms the reality of death.  It affirms hunger and thirst, weariness and difficult decisions.  It affirms the problem of sin and suffering.  In other words, there will be want.  But that want will not escape your Shepherd’s knowledge.  There is nothing that can happen that will keep you from the care and keeping of your Shepherd.  Even if you die, your Shepherd will raise you up again. 

This is the trust that the devil will be working hard to break—and the devil will exploit every single want to tempt you to believing that God has failed you.  That you’ve been cheated.  The devil will also tempt you to believe that you’re a failure; that your life isn’t worth living; and that you won’t make it through whatever dark trials you’re facing. 

But Psalm 23 is a beautiful song of truth in the face of so many lies told by the devil and the materialistic, self-centered world.  This is God’s Word telling us what the living Christ is doing in our lives, in response to our wants.  And let’s be clear—Jesus isn’t going to satisfy any want that’s going to drive us away from him.  Instead, Jesus will take your wants in hand, and provide for you in ways that will bring you closer to him.  Even if you need Jesus to come and save you from the mess of your own making, he will do that too.  He will forgive you. 

So challenge yourself this week to let this beautiful Psalm be the beautiful gift of truth that it is.  Think of every want in your life, and name them all one by one to God.  Then meditate upon this Psalm.  Read it.  Pray it.  Sing it.  Then when you’re done, think of all the good gifts God gives.  Write them down.  Tell someone.  God will amaze you. 

Pray this Psalm for the world, too—because this world is Jesus’ pasture, in spite of all its many flaws.  There are sheep who know tremendous wants.   Put yourself and the good gifts God gives you into Jesus’ hands, so he can use them to tend to these sheep. 

The way to a life of peace and joy comes not by getting everything you want, but living in the care of our Good Shepherd.   God’s will is for all people to want nothing else, nothing else, because you are loved and cared for by Jesus.  Since this is God’s will, we can all take comfort that God’s will shall indeed be done.