In God's Care: Possessing Everything, Lacking Nothing

I've been trusting God on what the next blog post should be. I could have easily made a content schedule and followed through. But no! I want to be able to discern the will and the word of God for His children every week. So, while praying this morning—on a Tuesday—I just knew that this was it. And now, here we are.

With God, You Have All Things

With God, you have all things and need nothing. There was a moment when Psalm 23:1 truly resonated with me, beyond the usual sense of reciting the verse. The NLT version says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need." It doesn't matter what I need; I have it.

This might sound unrealistic, especially given the current state of the economy. But as Christians, we are not defined or limited by circumstances. Our reality is rooted in the word of God and nothing else. So, if God says that because He is my shepherd, I will not lack or need anything, I must believe it.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

We checked out the NLT version; now let’s consider the NIV: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." This means you have everything you need.

Let's break down the scripture. When we talk about God, the Messiah, as our Lord, we mean our submission is to Him. He oversees the affairs of our lives at all times. The Bible makes us understand that the one you call Lord, the one to whom you submit your life, also serves as your shepherd. A shepherd not only oversees the affairs of the sheep but also ensures their well-being. Sheep, on their own, can't do anything by themselves. They trust the shepherd for all their needs. The shepherd discerns what they need, moment by moment.

Many of us, even as Christians, have boxed God in. We’ve limited Him, even when He is saying, "I have a dual capacity. I am your Lord and also your shepherd." He is our Lord and shepherd, our master and provider. Don’t put Him in a box. He also wants to provide for your needs.

Many of us sing "Jireh, the Provider," but in times of need, we don’t believe that He can carry us. We feel forsaken and fail to engage His help. Yet the word of the Lord is complete. The Bible contains all that we need, all we will ever need or think.

God's Provision is Complete

2 Peter 1:3 says, "According to God's divine power, we have been given all that we would ever need for life and godliness." This tells us that everything we need for a living has been released to us, emphasizing Psalm 23:1: "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need."

Have you seen a shepherd who truly cares for his sheep, yet allows them to wander or go wanting? No! He is the one who will leave the 99 to find the lost sheep. The One who clothes the lilies—how much more will He care for you? The One who made manna fall from heaven—how much more now? The One who brought water out of the rocks—what will He not do for you? The One who gave His only begotten Son—what else do you think He won’t give you? What do you think is too big for God to do?

The Creator of the entire universe—what do you think He doesn’t know about? The owner of all hearts—whose heart do you think He cannot control or lead?

 Remove God from the box you have placed Him in and start to see Him as the all-sufficient Father. The One who provided Abraham with a ram when he was about to sacrifice his son—what do you think God will not do for you? What do you think is too big for Him? Even during a famine, Joseph and his family had abundance. The One who turned a drop of oil into many jars—if He did it in the Old Testament and it is recorded countless times in the New Testament, how much more will He do now?

The Lord is my shepherd. I have all that I will ever need. With God, I have no lack. Let this be your confession.

Exceedingly Abundant Provision

It doesn’t matter how hard people may think the times are; my Shepherd, my God, is not controlled by time and circumstances. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:20-21 that the Lord is "exceedingly abundantly able to provide all that we ask or think."

"Exceedingly" is a great word, but it didn’t stop there. He added "abundantly," and when we talk about abundance, it’s something that can’t be measured. Exceedingly, abundantly, He will provide above all that you think or imagine. So, He is not just providing for your needs, but above and beyond what you think you need. He will do it; you just have to believe it.

Exercising Your Faith

Mark 11:22 says that by faith, you can tell a mountain to move, and it will move. By faith, confessing, and believing the word and promises of the Lord concerning your needs, He will bring them into manifestation.

The scripture also emphasizes the importance of exercising your faith by speaking it out. Now, it’s time for you to do the same—exercise your faith. Write down your biggest need and key into the promises of God in His word for providing your needs. Believe in your heart strongly that it has been established.

The second exercise is to find time to search the scriptures and write out all the verses that relate to God providing for your needs. Confess them continually until they become a part of you.

Remember, "The Lord is my shepherd; I have no lack." Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight.