your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4b (ESV)
The first part of Psalm 23:4 gives us an encouragement to be fearless as we travel through the valley of the shadow of death because our Good Shepherd is there with us. The second part of verse four points us to the reasons we can be fearless as we are led through the valley by our Shepherd. As we look upon our Shepherd and reflect on his presence before us and among us, we will see his two instruments of leadership: his rod and his staff. As we are led through the valley, the sight of our Good Shepherd going before us with both his rod of discipline and protection along with his staff of gentle care and guidance will bring great joy and encouragement to our hearts. It is the holy use of his rod and staff in our lives that gives us confidence, trust and fearlessness as we follow his leadership down the paths of righteousness for his glory.
It is always a bit of a shock when I read a description of Jesus where this shepherd’s rod is described because what I typically only focus on is the shepherd’s staff of care and guidance. The worldly culture around me wants to only ever acknowledge the meek and mild Jesus of our own making. They want the gentleness of a man that is the model for love. This also seeps into the church culture and even my own thinking as well. I want to read the stories of gentle Jesus who forgives my every transgression. I want the Jesus who loves me no matter what. The issue isn’t that this is untrue. It is absolutely true and good. I should be enamored with the immense grace and mercy that Jesus lavishly pours upon my life. He loves me to the fullest and patiently forgives over and over again. His staff is an immense comfort to me. As I look upon my Savior with his shepherd’s staff in his hand, I find comfort and peace. I know that this staff represents his loving guidance and provision for me. It is a source of encouragement to trust in Jesus at all times. This is why the Psalmist reminds us that the Shepherd has a staff in his hand. The image of the Shepherd looking over his flock with his staff in his hand is a source of comfort to every sheep. The knowledge and understanding that the leader of the sheep stands before them ready and prepared to lead and care for them.
Yet, this is not the first instrument that the Psalmist mentions. The first instrument that the Shepherd is holding is the rod of protection and discipline. This too is there to bring a fearless trust in the Good Shepherd. He holds his rod of protection before him to stave off the dangers that surround. It is not the sheep that have the strength or the wits to fight the schemes and strength of the wolf that stalks them. No, it is the Shepherd who the sheep look to for protection. It is the Shepherd in whom the sheep find the necessary strength. It is the Shepherd who fights the battle for them. It is the Shepherd who wields the rod of protection. What is required of the sheep? Simple trust in the good care and protection of their Shepherd.
This is a necessary lesson for me. Far too often I forget that I am a sheep and deceive myself into believing that I too am a shepherd or maybe a shepherd’s assistant. I convince myself that I am the one in whom the strength is required to fight off the wolves that lie in wait or attack at various points. I convince myself that the Good Shepherd is either inadequate or doing a poor job of protection, therefore I must use my own skill and strength to fight and protect myself. No, it is the strength of the Shepherd that I must lean into. It is a battle to be fought through the strength of Christ and not my own. It is not a battle of the flesh, but one of a spiritual nature which requires the spiritual strength found in Christ alone. His rod is a reminder that Jesus is the one who wields the rod of protection and Jesus is the one I can trust to wield it properly and effectively in my life.
This rod is also used for discipline in my life. The same rod which is a source of protection from the outside forces of the world is the rod of protection in my own life bringing discipline to my waywardness. The rod of discipline in my life is a protection against myself. I don’t really think about it this way though. I don’t really care for the discipline when it is happening. I guess none of us really do, but it is absolutely necessary. The dangers of this world are not just found out in the world along the path, the dangers of this world are found in my very own heart as well. I still find my heart being deceived and deceiving. I still find my heart coveting. I still find my heart looking to idols of my own making and design. I still find my heart seeking to please myself. The Shepherd knows that the dangers to me along this path of righteousness are often found in my very own heart. So, he brings the rod of discipline to bear upon me. It is not enjoyable in the moment, but it is absolutely needed in my lie. I need Jesus to correct me. I need him to fight for me even when it is me that is being fought!
Lord Jesus, as I look upon you standing before me with your Shepherd’s rod and staff, let me take comfort in your perfect love for me. Let me be content with the path we are walking together. Keep my heart from waywardness with your rod of discipline. Keep me safe from the evil one with your rod of protections. Let me always see you holding your Shepherd’s staff of comfort and guidance. What a joy it is to know that you love me perfectly and completely. I may not always understand the situation and consequences I am experiencing, so please bring to my mind this image of a Good Shepherd that drives out all fear from my heart and instills an unwavering trust in a holy loving Savior that died for me and even now dwells within me.