Wants
By Steve Crowley
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
Does this verse convict you? It certainly does me because I’m being fully transparent, I want constantly. I want my health. I want joy and peace in the world. I want my family and friends to not have hardships. Then there are my selfish wants. Boy did I want to win the $1.5 billion lottery earlier this summer. I even decided what I would spend and give away much of it. I find myself wanting things each and everyday.
But when I read and meditate upon Palms 23.1, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” my heart/spirit is moved to seek God and lay my wants before Him. Then the Holy Spirit nudges me by reminding me of many bible verses reminding me of Yahweh-Yireh, God provides.
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8 (ESV)
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
So if God has promised to provide for our needs how can we live beyond our wants?
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (ESV)
Contentment is only obtained when we seek God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. It is through our seek of God that we are filled with God. When we are filled with the presence of our Lord and Savior we are filled with a peace that surpasses our understanding. A sense of peace transcends our being where our hearts are content.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
God has shown us His provisional being through His prophet Elijah and the widow woman.
“And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.” 1 Kings 17:15-16 (ESV)
God is faithful to the promises of His Word.
Father God, we thank You for Your sovereign grace in providing for our needs. Our biggest need is You. May You fill us with Your presence and may You bring to life the promises of the Words in our Bibles as we seek You above all.
Father, we ask You to fill us with an insatiable appetite for spending time in prayer and in resting Your Word. May the eyes of our hearts be filled with understanding of Your spiritual blessings.
For it is in the name of Jesus who is to come to Him and He will give us peace that we pray.
Amen