I Shall Not Want

I wrote this poem when I was throwing myself a pity party recently. Truth be told, I feel disgusted by my single status most of the time—especially when Satan tells me that being single is the worst thing ever. Deep down in my heart, I know that contentment is a choice, whether I’m lucky in love or a single Pringle. Marriage ≠ happiness, right?

But after watching The Divergent Series: Insurgent recently, I became insanely jealous of the love Four had for Tris. I actually began to feel sorry for myself. Even though I knew that Four and Tris are fictional characters in a fictional story, I still desired a guy to love me like Four loved Tris.

The morning after watching that movie—once I had complained to God how lonely I felt and how I didn’t want Him like I should want Him—I was searching through my Bible for a short chapter to read. But every chapter seemed so long, and I didn’t have much 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 that 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 that I needed that verse (and the 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.

God 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 He is better. We don’t have to want anything if we have Him.

I shall not want.
I shall not want.
The Lord is my Shepherd, my soul’s great Restorer, my Guide.

I shall not want.
I shall not want.
You give me the rest and the peace and the calm that I crave.

I shall not want.
I shall not want.
I walk through the valley, for You go before me always.

I shall not want.
I shall not want.
I sit at Your table, for You make me able and brave.

I shall not want.
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)