Message Preached on July 17, 2022 by Pastor Cynthia D. Bellamy
Psalm 23: 1-3
Psalm 23 1:1 tells us “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”. Thus, you must come to a place of understanding that you have what you need; and that is God! There is no room for want in your life because you have what you need. The only time that we begin to want for something is when we do not have it. However, Psalm is reminding us that when the Lord is your shepherd, you lack nothing.
When you acknowledge God as your shepherd, the God that makes provision, makes room for you, puts you in a place of “green pastures”; it’s all you need. We know too often we’re asking for certain “wants” in life (money, husbands, job, etc..) but God be your shepherd, He has what you “need”. It doesn’t mean these “wants” won’t come your way but God, has EXACTLY what you “need”. For we know, what we really want is not what we really need. Even the things we crave after, we know is not the best thing for us. Even with the people in your surroundings, you must watch because their “behavior” can be an indication they “want something” from you. Yet with God, it’s never so and need to remember He has what you need!
What are you lacking when you have God?
Have you ever considered actual shepherds and their sheep, where after a while the shepherd must shave the hair of a sheep? The shaving needs to happen because the hair on the sheep becomes to heavy, which leads to infection and other diseases. In saying all of this, God is shaving you and what’s underneath you must come out. The process may be hurtful but remember, the Lord is your shepherd, and He has what you need.
God makes it possible for us to lie down in green pastures, to lie down in plenty, not worry, to not want, and to realize God has what I need. For when we need to get up, we know that everything is going to be there, waiting. Take a minute and think, do you acknowledge the Lord is your shepherd, and wherever He leads you shall follow?
There is nothing that you need that God does not already have!
Even in leading us to still waters, God can’t lead if you’re in the front! Whoever is leading should be in the front; yet we tend to try and take control of our own lives. When God is not moving fast enough, we try and take the driver seat. Knowing all too well going around and being impatient with God will only stir more trouble. The reason we’re not obtaining what God has for us is not because He doesn’t have it, but it’s because we get impatient and try to make our own way out.
God doesn’t compromise with us! He already has a plan in place for your life; a plan in place for you.
How do you depend on God? How do you trust him? The only way is to learn how to lean on Him. If you lean on Jesus, He will never let you fall. The way you learn this is to know when God brings you through hardship, remember that He can surely bring you through once again. To that moment where you can hear His voice say, “I got you.”
Remember and write it on the tablet of your heart, The LORD is my Shepherd, I have what I need!
