No Wants, Just Needs

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." - Psalm 23:1

How many times have we heard this scripture? We probably sang it in a song, saw it on a frame, or noticed it in a store, but as I read it today I developed a new insight. We have adapted to memorize, hear, and see the King James or New King James Version quoted "the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want", but in the New Living Translation the latter part of the scripture is modified. 

'I shall not want' is a beautiful poetic form of the scripture, however it's like somebody insisting you not to think about those things you want.  It almost forces your flesh to think of those things you do want. In contrast, 'I have all that I need' now triggers the mind to consider all the provisions of God and creating a satisfaction of knowing your needs are being met. 

I would like to believe this paraphrase of scripture is the Lord as our shepherd reassuring his sheep when coming into prayer that He doesn't want to know all our wants, but just our needs. God doesn't always give us what we want, but He always meets the needs! If you are a true, devout, follower of Christ and feel unsatisfied then evaluate your life and see if He hasn't always met the NEED. It may not have been everything you wanted, but it was exactly what you needed.

Believers are called to live a content life with however much or little you have. Always remember you have all you need. The Lord is my Good Shepherd, I have ALL that I need!

No wants just needs is good enough for me.