I Lack Nothing

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).

The way most of us learned the 23rd psalm is, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want,” and not “I lack nothing.”

The Hebrew word that is in question is “chaser”. The way to pronounce this word is khaser – ch/kh is guttural, and not chaser as in one who chases after something or someone. This word means to lack, to need, to be lacking.

Because the LORD is my shepherd, I will never be in a position of lack or need because the LORD, my shepherd, provides me with everything I need to thrive and succeed. My shepherd provides me with shalom. Shalom literally means peace, but it means so much more than our modern day usage of peace. The peace that God gives us can only be achieved when all that we need to live the abundant life is present.

This is why Jesus says, “I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Here’s what this means.

God has given me in the twenty-four hour day all the time I need to live the abundant life. All the time I need for a full night’s sleep, time for rest and relaxation, the material, the relational, the spiritual resources I need to live the abundant life. EVERYTHING that I need for the abundant life, God has already given to us.

If this is the case, how come so few of us live like this? How come so many of us are tired all the time, lacking energy, time, funds all the time? If we have everything we need for the abundant life how come so many of us are living a life of lacking and scarcity?

That’s a great question.

Here’s the reason: because we keep adding unnecessary junk to our day. We add unnecessary TV time, junk food time, not exercising time, not spending time with God time, chasing after unnecessary goals, ungodly dreams, and riches.

No one forces us to add the junk. We choose it. Isn’t that crazy?

So, take a look at your life. What is there that needs some UN-CHOOSING today? God has already given us everything we need for the abundant life. What needs to be taken out today so that abundant life is a reality for you?