What roles or jobs have you had where you met the needs of others? What did you have to do to ensure that you carried out that task? My first job at age 15 was at Tastee Freez. I learned how to make ice cream treats, cook on the grill, work at the register, clean ice cream machines, and much more … all for $1 an hour! Without really thinking about it, I was meeting the needs of customers by helping provide a clean environment where they could enjoy tasty food … well usually. At least once, I forgot the banana on the banana split!

In the Old Testament, we find that as a youth, David was a shepherd in charge of his father’s sheep. He learned specifically what his sheep needed and what he had to do to keep them safe. In Psalm 23, David wrote about the Lord based on that experience but from an interesting perspective. He said the LORD was his shepherd, which made David a sheep. The Amplified Bible puts it this way, “The Lord is my shepherd [to feed, guide and shield me]; I shall not lack.” And The Message modernizes it like this, “GOD, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing” (Psalm 23:1).

Why don’t we need a thing? Because when we accept the truth that we are like needy sheep who need a perfect Shepherd, He promises to meet our needs. Our God who loves us beyond comprehension wants to meet our needs and He already knows what they are. So, let’s stay near that Shepherd, trusting Him in our time of need.  Be encouraged with this, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

See you next Wednesday with Psalm 23, verse 2.