Many have memorized Psalm 23, but how many understand everything in the psalm? Each time I recited the prayer, I would pause at “thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” and question its intended meaning, until I finally researched the rod and staff and discovered a spiritual parallel.
As we all know, shepherds used a staff to herd and guide their sheep. In modern-day Israel, shepherds still dress as the biblical shepherds dressed and still use a staff. Although most people are familiar with the staff and its function to keep the sheep close to the shepherd, did you know that shepherds also carried a rod? My question was, “What was a rod, and what was its purpose?”
The shepherd’s rod was his most important lethal weapon for protecting his sheep from wild animals or thieves. It was approximately 2 ½ feet long with the end embedded with heavy pieces of iron. Likewise, our Savior stands between us and the enemy, ready to defend us. He will punish the wicked with the rod (Psalm 89:32). His Word is the rod of authority that defends and drives off Satan and his minions. That is why it is so important to speak the Word when the enemy comes to deceive, inflect doubt, confuse, and torment.
The shepherd’s staff is the symbol of our Shepherd’s constant care and guidance through the Holy Spirit. The LORD is our Shepherd; therefore, we lack nothing. He gives us rest, He refreshes our soul, and guides us along the right path. Even if we walk through the darkest valley, He is with us; His rod and staff comfort us. (Psalm 23:1-4).
Shepherds have reported that the allure of green grass will draw a sheep away from its master’s care, because it is oblivious to dangers. Its sole interest is to enjoy the sweet taste of grass. The shepherd must then search for and rescue his lamb, ewe, or ram before a wild animal finds it. Like sheep, the human heart is always looking for greener pastures. Unfortunately, sheep nor humans can recognize hidden dangers when they leave the safety of the Shepherd’s watchful eye.
God likens us to lost sheep that have gone astray. Jesus said, “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one wanders away and is lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others and go out into the hills to search for the lost one? And if he finds it, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine others safe at home!” (Matthew 18:12) Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with staff in hand, guides His wandering “sheep” back into the fold.
The Word urges us to “be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). We find in Job 1:6-7 that the angels came one day to present themselves before God, and Satan came as well. The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Satan is the god of this world and his goal is to destroy mankind.
We are living in challenging and frightening times that pose more questions than answers. Confusion, anger, and fear have gripped this nation as many worry about what the future may hold. But know that we are in a spiritual war. The powers of darkness are working to snuff the light of truth in each life and throughout this world. Doubt and fear fight for our minds every day. If ever there was a need for the people of God to pray, repent, and to praise God, this is the time.
God is calling this nation to return to Him, for many have wandered away from the Shepherd and many more have rejected Him altogether. But we have hope in God’s Word that promises, “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment” (Ezekiel 34:16). The fat and strong are the proud and self-sufficient enemies of the true gospel and of the true believers.
2 Timothy 4:4 instructs us that in the last days there will be those who turn their earsaway from the truth and instead, accept myths (2 Timothy 4:4). The only way that we can know the truth is to know God’s Word for “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We can count on God’s faithfulness to carry out His Word, so if we place our hope and trust in the truth of His Word, we will find rest in Him (I Samuel 7:28).
God—our true Shepherd—is calling us to remain under His protective care, because those who are lured to what they perceive to be greener pastures are vulnerable to the enemy. For that reason, God reminds us to seek Him first and not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to Him. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
PRAYER: FATHER, we live in dangerous and uncertain times, but You are my Shepherd who keeps me safe from the enemy. Help me not to wander or be drawn away from Your protection by Satan’s false narratives and evil schemes. Open my eyes and ears to Your truths and cause my heart to follow You and You only. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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