You shall not want

We’re continuing our discovery of several names of God from the Bible.

More than once, I’ve felt discouraged, tired, overwhelmed by doubt, as if drained by the hardships of daily life, trials, sickness, the challenges of ministry. Years ago, long before the birth of TopChrétien, my wife, Muriel, and I were introduced to pastoral ministry in Rive-de-Gier, near Lyon, France. It was the beginning of us being in full-time ministry, and we learned much about living by faith.

The church had little means available. So much so that after several months, it became difficult for the church to pay us without putting it into financial straits. After praying with my wife, we asked for a significant decrease in salary. From then on, we would be paid a fraction of minimum wage and our needs. It was even more challenging because we had just had our first baby, Amandine.

As a result of this step of faith and sacrifice, we had some of the best experiences of our lives as a young couple. We saw God supply all of our needs! And God also blessed the church! Throughout this time, we experienced this facet of God, the divine shepherd, like never before. He is YHWH Rohi, the Lord Is My Shepherd.

I love to proclaim with David the psalmist, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (see the Bible, Psalm 23:1, NKJV) David went through extreme seasons, when his pursuers wanted to kill him. But he knew that the Lord, his shepherd, would take care of him and that he would never want for anything!

Do you feel discouraged, tired, overwhelmed by need? Jesus, your good Shepherd, wants, like the Bible says, to lead you beside still waters. (see Psalm 23:2). 

• He won’t abandon or give up on you.
• He won’t forget you.
• He continues to take care of you and your family.

I believe and declare it over your life: Because the Lord is your shepherd, you shall not want!