-July 8, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Monday,
“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).
Today is our fourth and final lesson on the Good Shepherd’s Care. Thus far we have considered His voice and His pasture. Today we will look at His rod and His staff. They are a shepherd’s essential tools.
Both of these tools are functional and practical. What really makes them special is how they are used in love. A shepherd loves his sheep and would do nothing to hurt them, but sometimes he has to use gentle force for the good of the sheep. As we discussed, sheep are not smart; they tend to wander and get hurt.
Sheep are in danger of getting lost, being injured, walking off a cliff, and from dangerous predators. The shepherd must watch them very closely, and go after the one lost sheep. Our Good Shepherd guards and protects His sheep.
• The Staff – The shepherd’s staff is a long, curved wooden instrument used to gently pull the sheep back to himself. The shepherd uses it wisely and skillfully for the good of the sheep. In the case of our Good Shepherd, He employs it with love and tenderness to bring us back to Himself. The Bible describes us that this is conviction, comfort, and care. I know I need it daily.
• The Rod – Sometimes the sheep can get a bit unruly, have conflicts with other sheep, and disobey the shepherd’s commands. In such cases, force is needed, and it will hurt just enough to rectify the situation. It is meant to be a poke to get the sheep’s attention. This is what the Scripture calls God’s chastisement, that is, His discipline. He doesn’t punish, He disciplines us for our good.
God’s discipline is not easy nor pleasant, in fact, it is downright painful, but it is a good pain that brings a good gain. Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening seems not to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are being trained by it.”
The old expression is true: “no pain, no gain. We are His sheep, His children, His holy people. He is in the process of conforming us into the image of Christ. It is a long, slow, and painful process. But will be fully accomplished when we are home in heaven. That will be our graduation day!
Have a blessed day under the Good Shepherd’s care. Let us thank Him, trust Him, and obey Him. Stay safe and healthy.
The Shepherd’s rod and staff don’t make us comfortable but conformable, and that is real comfort.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 