Today’s Verse
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1 (KJV)
Being My Own Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” I know this verse. I’ve quoted it, prayed it, found comfort in it. But if I’m honest, I don’t always live like it’s true. I say God is my shepherd while simultaneously acting like provision is entirely my responsibility.
But I catch myself crossing a line, from being a responsible sheep to trying to shepherd myself. It happens gradually. I start managing more, controlling more, worrying about tomorrow’s provision like it all depends on me.
And this got significantly worse once I had kids. Suddenly provision wasn’t just about me, it was about keeping a tiny human alive, fed, safe, with a future. The stakes felt higher. The need for control felt more justified. I’m still technically trusting God, but I’m also hedging my bets, keeping one hand on the wheel just in case…
It’s in these situations that I have to catch myself and come back to Psalm 23. Remind myself: the Lord is my shepherd. Provision is His job. Mine is to follow and trust, not to figure it all out myself.
Sheep aren’t designed to shepherd themselves. They’re designed to follow. And when I try to do both – follow God while also managing my own security – I create unnecessary anxiety.
David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Not “The Lord helps me shepherd myself.” Not “The Lord and I co-manage my provision.” The premise is simple: if the Lord is my shepherd, provision is His responsibility. My job is to follow Him, trust Him, stay close to Him. His job is to lead me to what I need when I need it.
This doesn’t mean I don’t work or plan. Sheep still graze, they just don’t worry about whether there will be grass tomorrow. I can work hard and be responsible without carrying the crushing weight of provision like it all depends on me.
Today, I’m pulling back from the line. Letting God be the Shepherd. Trusting that if He truly is my shepherd, I genuinely shall not want.
Today’s Prayer
Lord, You are my Shepherd, I shall not want, lacking nothing essential because the One who tends me provides completely, faithfully, generously.
A shepherd’s job is to ensure sheep never go without what they need, and You are the Good Shepherd who knows exactly what I need and supplies it perfectly.
Teach me that I shall not want doesn’t mean I have everything I wish for but that I lack nothing I truly need, that under Your care I’m fully provided for.
Want means lack, deficiency, going without what’s necessary, and with You as my Shepherd, that kind of lack doesn’t exist in my life, You ensure I have enough.
Help me trust Your provision when it looks different than I expected, when what I think I need differs from what You provide, when Your supply doesn’t match my idea of enough.
Remind me that sheep who trust their shepherd don’t worry about tomorrow’s grass or water, they rest knowing the shepherd leads them to what they need when they need it.
Give me contentment that comes from having You as my Shepherd, gratitude for provision I might overlook, trust that You know better than I do what I actually need.
Let me rest today in this truth: the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, lacking nothing because my Shepherd provides everything.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Journaling prompts
Q. Where am I currently trying to be my own shepherd instead of trusting God’s provision?
Q. What specific areas of provision do I struggle most to surrender to God? (finances, relationships, health, future, children’s needs)
Q. What specific areas of provision do I struggle most to surrender to God?
Q. What specific worry or provision concern can I consciously hand over to God today?
Q. Who in my life models healthy trust in God’s provision? What can I learn from them?
Art print
If this devotional has spoken to you, the full 8 × 10″ art print is available to bring into your home. It’s printed on quality art paper, unframed and ready to place wherever you need a quiet reminder that God is your shepherd. You can find it in my shop, with free shipping included.