“The Lord is my Shepherd, I have what I want.” Psalm 23:1 NIV
Max Lucado wrote a book called “Traveling Light”. It’s a phenomenal book that takes a look at the 23rd Psalm, probably the most well known Psalm of all. Highly recommend it if you want a new perspective on a beloved Scripture. When He discusses this particular verse, this is how he starts the chapter:
“Come with me to the most populated prison in the world. The facility has more inmates than bunks. More prisoners than plates. More residents than resources…The name of the prison? You’ll see it over the entrance. Rainbowed over the gate are four cast iron letters that spell out its name: W-A-N-T”
Do you live in the prison of want? I know I do. As deep as my faith is, as rich as my life is, I still want. But I don’t need. I don’t need a new ipad. I don’t need a new car. I don’t need a better job. I have all that I need. My life overflows with blessings, yet I still want. I can still find myself in the prison of want. According to Lucado, this verse is your key to freedom and I can’t help but agree. It is your “get out of jail free card.” It is showing you the way to contentment. It’s at the beginning of the verse, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” That is the key to contentment. Realizing what you have in God is all you will ever need.
Paul gives us a little more insight in his letter to the Philippians:
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
It is in Him we find the key to freedom. When we realize all we need we already have, we break out of the prison of want. Grab your get out of jail free card today and be free of want!
Lucado, Max. Traveling Light Deluxe Edition (p. 29). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
