Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy

It occurred to me this week that I’ve had several conversations recently, which varied greatly, but somehow it got down to the subject of adequacy. Many in God’s Family, perhaps most, suffer at times from a sense of inadequacy. How about you? Do you feel like that sometimes? Yeah, I know the feeling personally!

If that is true for you, then here is something you would want to know. In scripture, there is a great place to go when you feel that way. It is the Psalm 23. It’s true! This treasured scripture passage offers the perfect remedy for your feelings of inadequacy. Let me explain—

The 23rd Psalm outlines the blessings that are ours as the sheep of God’s pasture.  Keep in mind, all of these benefits hinge upon the truth that the Lord is our Shepherd (Jehovah ra’ah). What is interesting to me is that this Hebrew word is one of seven compound names used with Jehovah in the Old Testament. Each compound name emphasizes something about God’s character and how He relates and responds to His people. The seven compound names for God are:

Jehovah ra’ah—The LORD my shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Jehovah jireh—The LORD my provider (Genesis 22:14)
Jehovah shalom—The LORD our peace (Judges 6:24)
Jehovah rapha—The LORD my healer (Exodus 15:26)
Jehovah tsidkenu—The LORD our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
Jehovah shamah—The LORD ever-present (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah nissi—The LORD our banner (Exodus 17:15)

Now here is the intriguing part to me. The compound names of God in the Old Testament match the content of Psalm 23 verse by verse. See what I mean:

The LORD is my shepherd (He is Jehovah ra’ah, my shepherd).
I shall not want (He is Jehovah jireh, my provider).
He makes me lie down in green pastures (He is Jehovah shalom, my peace).
He restores my soul (He is Jehovah rapha, my healer).
He leads me in paths of righteousness (He is Jehovah tsidkenu, my righteousness).
I will fear no evil for you are with me (He is Jehovah shamah, the ever-present).
He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies (He is Jehovah nissi, my banner).

So what does all this mean? Our God is wholly adequate to meet the needs of our life as His names indicate. Can you imagine a need in your life for which God is inadequate or unconcerned? That is why those who can say, “The Lord is my shepherd” can also say, “I shall not want.” Our Shepherd is able to meet the needs of His sheep. This is why we can rejoice in the 23rd Psalm. It all goes back to the identity and the adequacy of our Shepherd. If you can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd”, then you are blessed indeed! It’s simply a matter of trust! So Rejoice, O’ Sheep of His Pasture!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron