Trusting Always


“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” Psalm 23:1


 The Psalms are the outpouring of emotion to God whether it is anger, fear, joy, or trust. The psalms provide us with words that remind us of who God is and what it is to be in relationship with God. I think it is helpful to have some memorized so that when words fail us we can turn to the psalms during moments of extreme crisis. The most helpful I find is the 23rd Psalm because it reminds us of God’s character. 

The Communion Table at the Mountain Top Service August 6, 2017
Photo by Christopher Lukanich

Psalm 23 is a psalm of trust. It is a bold statement about what it means to live the Christian life. At the center of our life as Christians is trust. Trust in God and that God will provide us what we need. That God never leaves us and that God protects us. 

During Lent, we will be preaching about Psalm 23 verse by verse. We will attempt to open up the powerful bit of scripture as we learn new ways to find comfort. I encourage you and your children to memorize the 23rd Psalm and to discuss the sermons each Sunday afternoon. 

The 1st verse of the 23rd Psalm states that because the Lord acts as a shepherd does, we will never lack for anything. The word want means to lack something and if we look at the world around us, God has provided everything we need to be fed, have water and shelter. That is if we use creation in a way that is responsible and just. After those primary needs are met, we then learn that God promises never to leave us.   God provides for our needs and give us a place of security, belonging and comfort. 

Take some time is week to memorize this verse. Talk you children about what it means to belong and how they understand God’s presence in their own lives. Some of the questions below are more suited for older children but I have published all of them for your car chats.

Next Sunday we will discuss the verse 2. 

Conversation Starters: 
  • What do you think, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want” means?
  • What is the difference between desire and need? Can you give examples of both?
  • What do you want and what do I want for you as a parent?
  • What does God provide for us? Who does God us to meet our needs?
  • Have can we use this verse to remind us of what God does for us this week?
  • In your opinion is this verse true.
  • How do we get in the way of this verse being true?


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