EPISODE 262 – HIS ROD AND HIS STAFF 1

Thursday 12th October, 2023

HIS ROD AND HIS STAFF 1

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

The Psalmist reveals how he will fear no evil no matter how he will be hedged in difficulty or threats. Because the Good Shepherd (who is the Lord) is with him.

You can read more on HOW TO FEAR NO EVIL, when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death here.

Beloved, you are under the care of the Good Shepherd. His presence with you is your confidence and audacity.

Remember I explained that, from the first verses of Psalm 23, the Psalmist was addressing his readers, and referred to the Shepherd as the third person – “HE”.

But from the verse 4, David begins to refer to the Shepherd in the second person – “YOU”.

He was no longer addressing his readers, he was now addressing his Shepherd. David revealed how he looked to the Lord in the midst of adversity.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.“ Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

The assurance of David wasn’t just the consciousness that the Lord was with Him; it was also the comfort the Lord gives Him.

The thing is, the Lord doesn’t just want you to assume that He is with you. He makes your faith tangible. You see tangible manifestation or demonstration of His help, as you maintain confidence that He is with you.

When you really see and submit to the Lord as your Shepherd, you will trust His leadings and His voice. You will not esteem the challenges above the guard and guidance of the LORD.

The expression “YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF THEY COMFORT ME” is one of the most exquisite picturesque of our spiritual and practical relationship with the LORD (the Good Shepherd) in the scriptures.

David as a Shepherd used these items and the practice of Shepherds in his day, to paint a picture of how the LORD defends and directs him through his life’s journey.

A sheep is one of the most defenceless animals in God’s creation. Thus, a sheep depends absolutely on the shepherd for care, provision and protection.

Which means, the Shepherd must find a way to defend and guide the sheep. The Shepherd doesn’t only have a STAFF or crook, the shepherd also has a ROD.

The Rod is a thick stick with a knob at the end of it (it is like a policeman’s club) used defensively or offensively against predators.

Look at David’s testimony as a shepherd:

“But David persisted. “When I am taking care of my father’s sheep,” he said, “and a lion or a bear comes and grabs a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If it turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.” 1 Samuel 17:34-35 (TLB).

Now imagine the confidence and comfort the lamb will always have as it follows David. This is a picture of the protection David had when he thought of the Lord as his Shepherd. If David could defend and protect his sheep much more the LORD?

The LORD is the Good Shepherd who wields His rod (which is His power and authority) to protect us from every evil plot and adversity.

PRECIOUS ONE, THE LORD IS YOUR DEFENCE!!!

Hallelujah.