He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:3b-4
Reflect
As a young man, David was put in charge of his Father’s flock. As their shepherd, he would have slept out in the fields with the sheep during the warmer months when the pastures were lush with grass. He would have protected the flock from predators as he led them from one place to another. David described killing mountain lions and bears with his bare hands when they tried to carry off one of his sheep (1 Samuel 17:34–36). When a sheep would get hurt, or struggle to give birth, David would have been there to care for it. If a sheep wandered off the path, David would bring it back to the flock.
The rod and staff were the tools of the shepherd. The shepherd would carry one attached to his belt as the weapon with which to beat off predators who attack the sheep. His staff is the cane on which he might lean for support, use to guide a sheep back into the flock, or even knock down olives for them to eat. [1] In his Psalm about the Good Shepherd, David finds comfort in both the Shepherd’s rod and his staff.
If you’ll recall from last week, we learned that shepherds like David would have led their sheep instead of driving them. They taught the sheep to trust in their care rather than using fear to control their movements. Likewise, the Good Shepherd doesn’t use these tools to force or threaten the sheep into submission. His rod and staff are symbols of comfort. They represent protection and guidance to the sheep under his care.
When we are threatened by the evil that lurks in the darkest valley, we can be confident that our Shepherd is prepared to defend us from attack. When something off the path catches our eye and we start to wander off, our Shepherd will bring us back for our own protection. We can find comfort in both actions. They show us the Shepherd’s love.
Psalm 91 is another song of comfort and confidence during dark times. Notice all the beautiful imagery that helps us understand the relationship God has with his people.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalm 91:1–6
No matter what you’re dealing with today, the Lord is your refuge. He is a strong and mighty fortress, yet like a mother bird, he offers you a safe place to rest. Find comfort in your Shepherd today.
How have you experienced the Shepherd’s rod or staff?
What image from Psalm 91 comforts you the most? Why?
[1] Goldingay, 351.
Pray
Ask the Spirit to bring to mind examples from your own life of God’s faithfulness and protection. Take some time to praise and thank him. Then bring your fears and worries for the future to him and invite his comfort.
