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The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1 NIV
The book of Psalms is rich with every emotion under the sun. From lament and complaints to comfort, majesty, and delight, Psalms has it all. The Psalms is a place where I often turn to and find comfort in times of distress, and during times of joyous celebration I sing many songs taken from Psalms as well. No matter the season we find ourselves in, we can always “find our voice in the Psalms.”
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As we read the entirety of Psalm 23 it is more than just a comfort for those in times of great loss. In the six short verses, this Psalms covers God as our protector, sustainer, provider, and friend.
As we dive into Psalm 23, right from the start we see the closeness of relationship King David has with the Lord. He doesn’t say, God is your shepherd, or God is our Shepherd, which of course He is, instead He makes it personal. God is MY Shepherd.
I love the beginning of verse one in The Passion Translation. It reads:
Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd.
I always have more than enough. TPT
David knew God as His best friend. While God didn’t specific call David His friend like He did with Abraham (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23), God did call David a man after his own heart (1 Sam 13:14). And Jesus calls us His friends in John 15:12-15
In order for us to really understand the depth of meaning hidden in this short opening verse, we must first understand what a Shepherd is and what role a Shepherd would play in the life of a sheep and the flock as a whole.
David spent much of his life training for his Kingship in his father’s field caring for sheep. David was a Shepherd. He understood the bond and important role a shepherd had in caring for and nurturing the sheep. A shepherd was responsible for the care and livelihood of the flock. The shepherd did not just watch over the sheep as they grazed in the hills, but they were solely responsible for their protection if a predator attacked. A shepherd made sure the sheep had enough food and if they needed water, they would lead them to water. If a sheep was lost, the shepherd would find them. If a sheep was hurt, the shepherd would care for and tend them, and God does the same for us. David knew the bond that was created between the shepherd and sheep. It was an allegory he was familiar with. So as David starts this beautiful Psalm, not only do we see the relationship piece, we see David fully understands and is secure in his position with God.
The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. The Voice
In the last portion of verse one, we see David declare His total dependance and reliance upon God. God is the one who provides for us. God is the one who always cares for us (TPT). Without God caring for us, we are lacking.
As you read this verse, you may be thinking to yourself: “Oh, what would it be like to live lacking nothing?” Our minds tend to automatically go to the monetary side of things, but David is saying much more than that. When God is our Shepherd, He is always looking out for and caring for me. Our “American idea” of lacking nothing is not exactly what David was talking about here.
What is the American thought around lacking nothing?
I am sure it depends on who you ask, but in general I would say that most people would say it means: I have everything I want and desire. In fact, the prosperity gospel movement has taken this concept of lacking nothing and blown it out of proportion. God never promised we would have everything. But He has promised that we will have all that we need. There is a huge difference between: Need and desire. Need and wants, and even need and wishes are completely different. When I think of the American mentality my mind immediately goes to the scene in “Finding Nemo” with the seagulls. “Mine … mine… mine … mine…” They are coveting and wanting the one crab a nearby pelican has. They are surrounded by a sea full of fish and food, yet they all want the one they do not have.
Jesus spoke the truth about this “lacking nothing” Kingdom message in Mathew 6:26-34.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
If God cares for the sparrow and the flowers in the field, then how much more will He care for us? In the Kingdom of God, we must understand that God is our Good Shepherd. He has more than enough to take care of all our needs and there is a difference between what we need and what we think we need. God knows and see’s it all. He sees the beginning from the end of our life, and He knows exactly what we need. We must learn to separate our wants from our needs.
One writer wrote: “‘I lack nothing’ is not an encouragement of the “gimme, gimme, gimme” nature we all possess, but rather an appeal for us to move from greed to gratitude. It is an invitation to shift from wanting more and more to being thankful for what we have. And, most importantly, “I lack nothing” challenges us to transform our perception of the things and opportunities we receive from what we deserve and earn to gifts of God to be used and shared for the sake of God’s name.”[1]
The King James version says, “I shall not want.” David knew that everything he had and everything he was, was a result of God’s loving, tender, and watchful care over him. The same is true for us. “I shall not want” does not promise or imply we will have everything we want, rather it is acknowledgment that when God is our all an all, that is all we will ever need!
[1] https://theunexpectedpastor.com/2017/06/19/the-lord-is-my-shepherd-i-lack-nothing/
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Episode #102 ~ Discernement ~ Jane Hamon
Jane Hamon’s book: Discernment was a game changer for me, and I have been wanting to interview her ever since her book came out.
Growing up, I was called a “discerning child” but I didn’t know what that meant. The book “Discernment” is a game changer for every believer to walk in the fullness of God’s Kingdom here on earth. Jane says: “We are living in such critical times today that it is imperative for believers to learn to use every tool given to us by the Holy Spirit. We are called to be kingdom influencers–to discern the times in which we live, to discern the moves of the Holy Spirit, and to discern angels and demons.”
You can connect with Jane at these locations:
https://www.tomandjanehamon.com/
https://christianinternational.com/
School of the Prophets: https://www.schooloftheprophets.us/
You can purchase “Discernment” here: https://amzn.to/3rEQWSz
Listen at your favorite podcast provider, click here for options. OR watch it On Youtube here:
Check out the newest #Podcast from @Dare2Hear Episode 102:Discernment with Guest Jane Hamon Click To Tweet
Meet This Week’s Guest:
Jane Hamon and her husband, Tom, are senior leaders of Vision Church @
Christian International in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Jane, a gifted teacher and
storyteller, has written several books, including Dreams and Visions, The Deborah
Company and The Cyrus Decree. The Hamons have three children and a growing
number of grandchildren. They make their home on the beautiful Emerald Coast
of Florida.
My NEW Symbolism Reference Guide and Dream Journal just released. You can now purchase your copy straight from Amazon
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Would you Please Listen & LEAVE A REVIEW ON iTunes…
It know it may seem like a lot to ask, because it takes time. However, if you can leave an honest review after listening, it would really be a HUGE blessing. Each review helps the podcast rank higher and get more eyes. If you’re interested, here’s how you do it:
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Debbie
Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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YouVersion 7-Day Devotional
I am blessed and honored to have a 7-day devotional on the YouVersion Bible App. YAY!!! It is a great way to kick start the 7- days before my on-line Bible Study starts next week. I would be so blessed if you would check it out and share it with your friends. You can find it here: Be The Gift Someone Needs Today!
Have you had the opportunity to read my new book “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for others.” ? This book is about learning to hear the voice of God in our own life so we can respond to those God bumps and little nudges He gives us on a daily basis. God is calling us to be agents of encouragement and to be the gift the worlds needs today.
We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). My book will teach you how to step out and do just that.
To order your copy today: You can find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, OR your favorite online retailer, Plus, newly added, you can now get a signed copy from me. Click Here to order yours today!
We all have the opportunity to #BeTheGift of encouragement others need today.
A practical guide to what it looks like and how to live a lifestyle of prophetic encouragement.
Are you Ready to #BeTheGift Someone Needs today?
Words have power.
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Especially when they come from God.
The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement Bible Study: Living a Lifestyle of Encouragement shows us how to follow Jesus by loving on and building up His church … one person, and one God-centered word, at a time. Diving deeply into Scripture, Pastor Debbie Kitterman beautifully unpacks the Biblical precedent of prophetic encouragement and teaches you how to hear from God. By doing so, you’ll bravely step into your calling to #BeTheGift others need.
In this stunning six-week study, you will:
- Examine the model of encouragement Jesus established for us.
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And gain confidence in your calling to build others up
Are you ready for six weeks that will change your life, deepen your relationship with God, and create ripples of encouragement that spread through those around you?
You can visit my store here on the website to order a signed copy.
To Purchase Amazon, click here.
Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
I believe the greatest compliment one can say of someone in ministry is, “They smell like sheep!” Under-shepherds so in tune with their flock they bear the flocks fragrance!!!!!
Susan, I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it is true!
What a gift to be reminded of God’s faithfulness and friendship!
Rebecca – it is a great reminder and an amazing gift – isn’t it?
There has been a theme lately that is showing up in my readings about God’s provisions for us! And sharing David’s words of how God provides all that we need is bringing me even deeper into knowing His love and care for us! Thank you for sharing His word with with us!
Lynn – I think we have a hard time with the concept of what God’s provision looks like for us. Or at least I do sometimes. Thanks for sharing and for taking this journey with me through Psalm 23.
Love your teaching on Psalm 23:1 today, Debbie. I’ve been dwelling on Psalm 23 ever since 2019; but I’ve actually not read verse 1 in the The Passion Translation. Thanks for sharing – I love “Yahweh is my best friend…” Really, what else could one need?
Jerralea, thank you so much! I lobe that you have been dwelling on Psalm 23 for a few years. I was glad I could bring a different version to you and add to what you have already been meditating on. 🙂 Blessings
There are a lot of things I need to move away from and toward gratitude. Thank you.
Lauren, you are most welcome. I think if we are all honest, there are many of us that could say the same thing.
I love this journey through a Psalm that we can be so overly familiar with that we forget the richness of its truth. As far as God’s provision for me, I love the Amplified Bible’s translation of the verse that says God will withhold no good thing from me. In the AMBC is translates that word good as beneficial. When God says we will not lack, He is also wise enough not to give us things that are not in our best interest in the long run. Praise God for that!
Elizabeth, yes, we can become overly familiar with it. I know I had before God put it on my heart to dig into it. I love the Amplified translation of that verse – I am going to have to check it out for the other verses as well. Thank you for sharing.