DAILY TEXT, Today  Wednesday August 16, 2023,  Jehovah is my Shepherd. I will lack nothing (Ps. 23:1).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Wednesday August 16

Jehovah is my Shepherd. I will lack nothing (Ps. 23:1).

In Psalm 23, David mentions the things that really matter: the abundant spiritual blessings he enjoys because Jehovah is his Shepherd. Jehovah “leads him in paths of righteousness” and loyally supports him through thick and thin. David recognizes that his life in Jehovah's “grassy meadows” will not be without its problems. He may feel discouraged at times, as if he were "walking in the valley of deep darkness," and says that he will have enemies. But, since Jehovah is his Shepherd, David affirms: “I will fear no evil.” In what sense did David lack for nothing? In a spiritual sense, he had everything necessary. His happiness did not depend on material things. He was satisfied with what Jehovah gave him. For David, the most important thing was to have the blessing and protection of his God. David's words teach us that it is very important to have a proper view of material things. w22.01 1:5-7.

How did Saul put himself in a dangerous position? (1 Samuel 23:16, 17).

Seeing that David was so popular and had won so many battles, Saul was eaten up with envy. He also knew that because of his disobedience Jehovah had rejected him as king and had chosen David to occupy the throne of Israel.—Read 1 Samuel 23:16, 17. But, since he was still the king of Israel, Saul had a huge army and many who supported him, so David had to flee for his life. Did Saul really believe that he could oppose what Jehovah had said about David? (Is. 55:11). The Bible doesn't say so, but we can be sure of one thing: he was putting himself in a dangerous position. Those who fight against God always lose out.

How was David feeling despite everything he was going through?

David was a humble man. He did not choose to be the king of Israel; it was Jehovah who did it (1 Sam. 16:1, 12, 13). As a result, Saul hated David to the death. But David did not blame Jehovah for the dangers he was going through. Neither did he complain about having little food and having to take refuge in a cave. On the contrary, it may be that while he was hiding in that cave he composed the precious song of praise that includes the words of our theme text: “Those who seek the Lord will not lack anything good” (Ps. 34:10).

What questions will we answer, and why are they important?

Many of Jehovah's servants today do not have enough food or other necessities for life.b This has been the case especially during the recent pandemic. And the situation will worsen as the "great tribulation" approaches (Matt. 24:21). For all this, let's look at the answer to four questions: in what sense did David lack "nothing good"? Why should we learn to be content with what we have? Why can we be sure that Jehovah gives us care for? And how can we prepare now for the future?

What weighty lesson does what happened to the Christians in Judea teach us?

What weighty lesson does what happened to the Christians in Judea teach us? The Watchtower mentioned in the previous paragraph said: “We may face tests regarding our view of material goods. Will these have a fundamental importance for us, or will the salvation that will come for all those who are on the side of God be more important? Yes, flight may involve certain hardships and privations. We have to be prepared to do whatever it takes, like the first-century Christians who fled Judea.”

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.