Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want
Just be happy with your lot in life?
Not exactly.
If you measure life by your “lot”, then you’re only doing as good as how things are going. But God says way better things about you—your identity in Him is solid, regardless of circumstance. Don’t let life speak way louder than Truth.
Romans says “As many as are lead by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” So we’re children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Knowing your place in this world, how could you want?
So Psalm 23 isn’t about settling—it’s about living confident and bold, knowing you already lack nothing (2 Peter 1:3, Psalm 34:10). You’re not scraping by on “the hand you were dealt”—you’re living out of the fullness of His love…as a son!
btw Psalm 23 is probably one of the most popular chapters in the Bible. Every Christian kid has heard it countless times. Most (like myself) are pretty numb to the words by now – it was good to actually focus on it today. Even Coolio dropped it in “Gangsta’s Paradise back in the 90s”
I’ll be glad when you get some New Testament verses—Psalms is awesome, but it’s basically David dreaming of the day you and I get to live in right now.
So relax—you’re not in “try harder” mode. You’re in “thank You, Father” mode.