by Dona Hake
Psalm 23:4 (DARBY)
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”
When you are walking through a dark valley in this life you absolutely must believe that He is beside you. He has not left you alone to walk in a place in which you do not understand. It makes my heart cringe when I hear a believer exclaim, “Where is God in all of this?…” Either you believe with all of your heart that Jesus keeps His Word or you do not. Jesus plainly said in His Word, “I will not leave nor forsake you.”
Let us look at what one of the meanings that the rod symbolizes. One of the uses for a shepherd’s rod was to examine and count the sheep. Many times when we are walking through difficult times we may find that our perspective on life is now different. We come to grip with the reality of what is really important and God is able to touch your heart in an area He may not have been able to before. You may then feel His gentle tug to deal with a particular area of your life. As you permit Him to deal with your heart, He will speak and instruct you in that which may need help or change.
Psalm 139:23-24 (AMP)
“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
The staff is symbolic of His loving and watchful care over you and your life. He is concerned about you and He sees your every need. The staff is also used in guiding sheep that they stay on the right path. We know that His Word is a lamp onto our feet and a light onto our path. As we permit Him to lead us with His rod and staff we will walk through the valleys as well as walk on the mountain tops with Him. Praise God for our loving Shepherd!
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