I Shall Not Want

The Story

Long before he was king, David was a shepherd boy. He spent his days and nights in the hills around Bethlehem, taking care of his father’s sheep.

He knew what sheep needed. They needed green grass and quiet water. They needed someone to lead them on safe paths. They needed protection from lions and bears, and David had fought both. Once, when a lion carried off a lamb, David chased it down and rescued the lamb from its mouth.

Years later, after all his battles and failures, David wrote the most famous poem in the Bible. And he wrote it from the sheep’s point of view.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, I won’t be afraid, because You are with me.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

Reflection