I Shall Not Want

I wrote this poem when I was throwing myself a pity party recently. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I feel disgusted by my single status most of the time. It stinks to be single…at least, that’s what Satan tells me. Deep down in my heart, I know that contentment is a choice, whether I’m lucky in love or single as a Pringle. Marriage doesn’t equal happiness, right?

But, after watching Insurgent (a romance + action-adventure movie), I became insanely jealous of the love Four had for Tris. Honestly, I began to feel sorry for myself. Yes, I know Insurgent is a fictional story and that Four’s relationship with Tris is fake. But I also knew that I wanted a guy to love me like Four loved Tris.

The morning after I watched that movie—once I had complained to God how lonely I felt and how I didn’t want Him like I should—I was searching through my Bible for a short chapter to read. But every chapter seemed so long, and I was short on time. I immediately thought that I should read a Psalm because most Psalms are short. I flipped to Psalm 23 since it was February 23rd, but I forgot I already knew the words of this Psalm.

I could clearly hear God speaking to me through the first verse: …I shall not want.

God knew I needed that verse (and that entire Psalm). If God is my everything, I don’t need anything. I don’t need a date for Friday night. I don’t need a boyfriend who buys me flowers. I don’t need a husband who holds me in his arms. And I don’t need Four.

Because I have Him.

He loves me like Four loved Tris—except better. He cares for me like Four cared for Tris—except more. He rescued me like Four rescued Tris—except millennia before I was even born.

That’s why I wrote this poem. Because God is more. He is better. We don’t have to want anything if we have Him.

I shall not want.

The Lord is my Shepherd, my soul’s great Restorer, my Guide.

I shall not want.

You give me the rest and the peace and the calm that I crave.

I shall not want.

I walk through the valley, for You go before me always.

I shall not want.

I sit at Your table, for You make me able and brave.

I shall not want.

You love me and show me You’re good and You’re kind at all times.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 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 have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 NASB)

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