I shall not lack

The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. Psalm 23:1 AMP

Let's think about the phrase 'I shall not lack.' What does that mean to you? What do you feel you lack in your life?
The physical needs - food, shelter, warmth?
Purpose - what is my life about?
Direction - What do I do next?
Protection - in and from my circumstances?
Faith - to believe that God is trustworthy

One thing that I often lack is peace. God's perfect peace. I can get so wound up about my own needs and expectations, that I let frustration and disappointment take over my mind. It can become ugly! I completely forget about God and His plan and purpose for my life. I find myself lacking. I forget to inquire of and require Him. 

O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is not want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing. Psalm 34:9,10 AMP

Now let's think about the phrase, 'none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.' What does 'beneficial things' mean to you? As I thought about those words, things like peace, joy, love started coming to mind, and then I got revelation of where the Holy Spirit was leading me - to His fruit.

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. Galatians 5:22-23 AMP

Yes, here is a list of 'beneficial things' that I do not want to lack. And by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, we can have these 'beneficial things' in our lives, and continually grow and develop in them.

And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward, walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit]. Galatians 5:24-25 AMP

Amen. Praise God that we do belong to Christ Jesus, and that we can live and walk by the Holy Spirit. We shall not lack in these areas if we press into Him. 

So for me when it comes to a question of lack in my life, God is teaching me, ever so gently, to think about lack in terms of my character. He is re-building me day by day.

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. James 1:4 AMP

So let's revisit those questions - 

What does 'I shall not lack' mean to you?

What does 'none shall lack any beneficial thing' mean to you?

Today let's ask God for His view, His wisdom, regarding what we lack, and listen and let Him work in our lives.