Hosanna Restoration Church

I have no idea how many times I have read, quoted, or heard the 23rd Psalm in my life, but this time when I read it the word want, jumped out at me. The New Living Translation says, “I have everything I need.” I then turned to the dictionary to see what want really meant. The definition begins by saying; akin to deficiency. From there it says to fail to possess: lack, to like, need, require; to suffer from the lack of; to wish or demand the presence of. The list goes on, but I think you get the picture.

Looking at these definitions we can see that occasionally when we say we want something we might just be overstating it a bit. This habit starts when as children we think we should have everything whether we need it or not. We know that a child’s mind can turn the least of things into something that they cannot live without and no one around them will have peace until they get it! As a parent I can say that those were not enjoyable times. As a parent I could see the need to try and redirect that kind of behavior, and if you are a parent you know exactly what I mean. If you are not a parent but have been in the presence of such a scene, you know you were thinking of some solutions that would help that child! Be honest, we have all had those thoughts.

Looking at this verse according to the definition we can see that God has a good life planned for us. He plans for everything we need and even what we desire. Sounds like the results of seeking the Kingdom of God first and having everything added doesn’t it?

There was one definition that described the perfect attitude toward God. What if we were to wish for and demand His presence in our lives? What if that were the highest on our list of wants? “I want God.” That is the key to life! He is what I really want!

Think about it. Isn’t that what you really want? When you are in the midst of feeling like things are not going your way and that your desires are being neglected, what is the only thing that can really put things in perspective? Perhaps you have never looked at it this way before. Perhaps you do not see God as the answer to all things.

Go back to the child who thinks they cannot live without whatever they were throwing the fit about. How do you overcome that? You redirect the child’s attention don’t you? We are no longer children, but there are times when we need to have our attention redirected. We need to get our minds off of whatever is troubling us and get them on something else.

There are a lot of places that people turn in attempt to accomplish this. The list may include alcohol, drugs, self help books, or your favorite method. However the only one that is guaranteed to work is Jesus. He is the answer to living without want. If we will just want Him the most we will see the glory of God. Begin to say, “I want God.” Keep saying it till it takes over your thinking and your desires; until a river of life springs forth.