“I Shall Not Want”

How many sore hearts have been comforted and strengthened by the words of the twenty-third Psalm, which has come down to us through so many centuries! Yet a deeper sense of its beauty and power is gained when we study the simple interpretation which Mrs. Eddy gives it on page 578 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." This interpretation shows the tender light with which Christian Science illumines even the best-loved portions of the Scriptures, as the spiritual concept of God supersedes finite material belief.

"[Divine Love] is my shepherd; I shall not want." All the world is crying out for Love. But it looks for it in every direction except the right one; it accepts the poorest substitutes in its ignorance of the true nature of Love. Mrs. Eddy's own character manifested unselfishness and loving-kindness. Her tender heart had been so purified by constant prayer, so enlightened by consecration to divine service, that she was fitted to give to the world the wonderful revelation of Truth and Love which she reverently called "Christian Science." The spiritual interpretation of this Psalm, so much beloved by all Christian people, shows clearly that the teachings of Christian Science take away nothing spiritual or true which the student possessed before, but give, rather, a still deeper, broader, and more intelligent understanding of spirituality and Truth.

"I shall not want"! Materiality is always in want. Its hourly cry is, I want! No sooner does it get what it wants than it wants something else or something more. It is never satisfied, never content. Whether living in extravagance or squalor, it is pursued by a wretched, stifled sense of lack, of unfulfilled desire, unstilled longing. It tries one form of amusement or pleasure after another, only to find in each the same monotonous dissatisfaction. Not until thought begins to turn away from materiality to purify its desires, to recognize something of man's true spiritual selfhood and the folly of self-will, does a sense of tranquility replace anxiety, depression, and fear for the future. Most people can bear the ills they have at the moment; it is the thought of their continuance that seems unendurable. To have expectancy changed from the perpetual apprehension of impending want to confidence in divine Love's ample provision has healed many a hopeless case of disease.

No more peaceful picture can be brought before the thought than that of a shepherd and his flock. A sheep is so gentle and inoffensive, a lamb so innocent, so light-hearted, with the shepherd caring wisely for them, night and day watching and providing, guarding against dangers of which the flock is ignorant! If the human shepherd is thus careful and vigilant, what assurance of safety comes with the realization of divine Love's infinite care for His whole creation! How foolish it would be for one of the sheep of a flock, or for a little lamb, to become disturbed as to whether there would be another green pasture available when the present one was used up, or whether or not water for to-morrow's need would be found! The shepherd knows just where to lead them, knows what waters of comfort are waiting for them. Nothing is asked of the flock but that it should follow in orderly fashion where it is led, not allowing the panic of fear to stampede it.

Perhaps at the beginning of our study of Christian Science we are apt to take the assurance of supply as applying largely to material things, such as food and raiment; but later we come to understand that far more necessary still are the things of the Spirit. If we are obediently following divine Love, then we can lack nothing—neither wisdom nor strength, inspiration nor courage. Love does not overdrive us, nor overwork us, when we are wearied with the way. Love makes us to "lie down in green pastures," makes us rest awhile "beside the still waters," gives us more inspiration, quietly leading our infant thoughts and refreshing us with the pure, invigorating truth. If fear and sorrow have dimmed our sense of joy, let us remember the assurance, "[Love] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]" (Science and Health, p. 578). The spiritual sense of God and man is quickened anew, and our wandering feet are brought back to the plain path. We see the error, gladly abandon it, and again walk humbly with God.

Even if we seem to walk through the dark "valley of the shadow of death," we shall find that death is not substance, but only shadow, and that there is nothing to fear in passing through this shadow out into the light again when Love is with us, when Love's rod is there to guide our footsteps and Love's staff is there to lean upon. The Comforter is with us and with all, leading us on to the final overcoming of "the last enemy."

What if we still have foes in ambush, still have errors not yet destroyed? Divine Love always provides our sustenance so that we can be strengthened to go on. The oil of gladness is poured out on us, and our gratitude overflows. Even if we are harassed and pursued by erroneous thoughts, they cannot really disturb our harmony, for "goodness and mercy" are following us, and Love goes on ahead as well as beside us. To dwell forever in the consciousness of divine Love is harmony, heaven, where Love is supreme.

To gain this beatified consciousness, we must obediently follow the Good Shepherd, the Love divine that cares for even the smallest spiritual idea; and step by step we shall be able to declare with faith and confidence, "I shall not want." We shall be satisfied, fearing no experience on our earthly road, knowing that we are being led to find all that we need for the development of the good which God's children are created to express. Out of the depths of her own experience, Mrs. Eddy wrote for our encouragement (ibid., p. 494), "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." Can we ask for more?