Chasing the Dream

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. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV).

The question around birthdays or other gift-giving occasions is usually, “What do you want?” My typical response is that “I don’t need anything.” As I thought about that it occurred to me that I have never really “needed” anything. I’ve often wanted things, but never needed them. There are many people in America who cannot say that. The official poverty rate in our country is 14.5%; that means that 45.3 million people in the US live in poverty; an additional 97.3 million (33%) of people living in the United States are low-income, defined as incomes below twice the federal poverty line. Taken together, this means that 48% of our country is poor or low income. I also found out through my research measuring "economic insecurity" that 4 out of 5 (79%) of people in the US live in danger of poverty or unemployment at some point in their lifetime (defined as a year or more of periodic joblessness, reliance on government aid such as food stamps or income below 150 percent of the poverty line). Only 48% of people could handle a $400 emergency expense without selling something or borrowing money. I am aware that real want comes in many shapes and sizes. Yesterday’s luxuries have become today’s necessities, such that the subsistence existence of many in poorer parts of the world is alien to us. However, for many of us our walk by faith has turned into a trot by sight. That brings me to our reading today. Whether writing as a king or as a king-in-the-making, David knew want first-hand. He experienced want financially as a poor shepherd boy, emotionally and spiritually when fighting wild animals, and physically when taking on Goliath. His claim he’d lack for nothing had been forged by experience and was penned in hope. Doubtless he also remembered Moses’ assurance to Israel that in the Promised Land God’s people would not want. If the Lord is our shepherd we too may have this confidence. He will not only supply our every last need, but provide the desires of our hearts. Given this, we can sing with David of the Lord’s providence. Insurance policies, investment accounts, family, friends, and church have their place, but the Lord wants us to lean our full weight ultimately on him. His grace is sufficient, even if it’s made perfect in our weakness. We’re going to look further at this truth tomorrow.