The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” – Psalm 23:1

The phrase “I lack nothing” is also translated in other versions, as “I shall not want,” or “I have everything I need,” as well as other similar statements. The idea of course is obvious, that when the Lord is our shepherd, He as a faithful shepherd will take care of us in all of our needs. We like sheep, are often helpless, and need the care of the Lord Jesus, the shepherd our souls.

Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd.” – John 10:16, and He is the fulfillment of the shepherd recorded in Psalm 23.  

While David was writing descriptively about the Lord God of Israel, we know that Jesus, became the personification of the true spiritual shepherd of our souls. His love for people as a shepherd was revealed in the three years he walked the earth. People were drawn to him – He welcomed children – He ate with sinners, tax collectors, and other undesirables – those cast off by religious heirarchy.  Here below are Christ’s own words. These are the promises of God for you who have believed upon Jesus, as savior and Lord.

Because Jesus is my shepherd. I can confidently trust that …

I will not lack for eternal life or for His security and protection – “And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” – John 10:28,29

I will not lack rest.  – “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

I will not lack for my spiritual thirst being quenched.   – “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14; “… If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” (John 7:37,38)

I will not lack for God’s forgiveness. – “The Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins.” (Matt. 9:6)

I will not lack His presence. – ‘I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.’ (Matt. 28:20); “… I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Heb 13:5)

I will not lack the help of the Holy Spirit. – “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:16,17) 

I will not lack for spiritually sustaining food. – “I am the bread of life: he that comes to me will not never hunger.” (John 6:35)

I will not lack for sustaining joy. – “These things I have spoken to you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)

I will not lack for answered prayer.  – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (Matt.7:7-11); “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that  you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Matt. 11:24)

I will not lack for any needful thing in this life. – “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)