I Shall Not Want

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11 KJV)

How did Paul reach this state of mind? Trusting in Christ, of course, and knowing the words of Solomon.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7 KJV)

David found it even earlier.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1 KJV)

Adam lost it.

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:17-19 KJV)

Adam walked with God in the cool of the evening, with all the fruit of every tree – but one – available to him. He went from that to fighting thorns and thistles for every bite. Instead of dressing and keeping Eden, he plowed fields and awaited harvests.

Not such a good trade.

What have we traded? Paul felt no lack, neither did David nor Solomon. God provided for Elisha, for Jonah, for Moses. God provided manna for the children of Israel, and they complained. They had traded the bondage of Egyptian slavery for freedom, and they complained. So loudly and long, in fact, that an entire generation was gone before their promised land was theirs.

Have we traded away lives, even generations, by not grasping what God has given us? Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of pottage, are we trading away eternal life as easily?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; (Ephesians 2:8a KJV)

Salvation by the grace of God through faith we receive by hearing His word. We have every opportunity to heed Jeremiah’s call.

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. (Jeremiah 22:29 KJV)