EquippedMama

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to

refreshing water. He restores my strength. He leads me down right paths for the sake of his reputation. Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you

are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me. You prepare a feast before me in plain

sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. Surely your

goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all

my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.

Psalm 23:1-6 NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Have you ever lacked something? Perhaps you lacked money and had a medical bill that went delinquent or you were unable to make your mortgage or car payment. Maybe you lacked wisdom in a decision and lost a valuable friendship. It’s possible that a lack of integrity caused you to slip into a situation that you regretted for years. To lack something, or to be without, is a horrible reminder of our frailty as people.

As a new mama, it is easy to want to keep your child safe from all forms of lack. This might result in overspending on items for them, straining your budget. It could also end in overcommitting them to activities. At the time, these things seem to be for their benefit, but instead they drive you into a state of endless guilt, feverish overachieving, and chronic exhaustion.

This psalm, however, gently reminds each of our hearts that it is not our job to meet all the needs of our child; it is our heavenly Father’s. From the abundance of His riches the Lord provides for all our needs. Did you notice the action words used by the writer of the psalm? He says that he “lacks nothing, must walk, and will live.” He lacks nothing. Walks, but not alone. He is promised an inheritance. Even in his doing, he is completely dependent upon and the recipient of the goodness of the Lord.

In contrast, what is the Lord doing? He takes, leads, restores, leads (yes, again!), reassures, prepares, refreshes, and pursues. These things He does to those who call Him their shepherd. What an image of a tender, compassionate, and loving God and Father.

More than merely noticing the needs of His sheep, however, God is able to meet these needs. The author does not say his needs are simply met; he lacks nothing. His cup overflows. His life is characterized by satisfaction and wealth because the Lord provides for his needs. Therefore, his life is full to abundance.

How does the Lord provide for your needs? He supplies all that we need from His riches, His wealth—a wealth that knows no end. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:19).

The Lord takes all our needs and fills them so that we lack nothing. He has infinite resources at His command to give us and our families a life that is full and overflowing. That knowledge should fill our hearts with peace and thanksgiving.

Thank you that you are my Good Shepherd. Thank you that I lack nothing—and neither does (fill in child’s name). Thank you that I can trust you to fill our lives with good things, even to overflowing. Thank you that when we walk through the hard times life brings us, we do not walk alone; you are right there beside us. Thank you that you promise your goodness and faithfulness to pursue us—my family—all the days of our lives.

I thank you, Father, that you are rich in love and in compassion and you lavish those things on us. Thank you know my needs and my child’s needs, and that you provide for us from your endless wealth. You are great and worthy of praise.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Note- this post is a sample devotional from Katherine Hager’s book, Redeeming Mama- this selection was from week two, day four. Redeeming Mama is a six-week prayer journey written for mothers of little children. You can find the book here.